Bengaluru/Chennai, Dec. 6 -- The Madras high court on Friday asked the Tamil Nadu government once again to "explain" its "repeated failure" to permit the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop the Deepathoon -- the ancient stone lamp pillar on Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai district - even as the Supreme Court agreed to consider hearing MK Stalin-led government's plea in the matter. On Friday, state police registered a case against 113 people, including TN BJP president Nainar Nagenthran, senior party leader H Raja, and six women, who participated in a protest on December 4 to push for the lighting of a lamp atop the hill.

The Deepathoon issue has become contentious after authorities refused permission for the lighting ceremony de...