Fifty-six retired judges, including former judges of the Supreme Court and several former chief justices of High Courts, on Friday issued a strongly worded statement condemning the move by DMK-led opposition MPs to initiate impeachment proceedings against Madras High Court judge Justice G R Swaminathan, calling it a “brazen attempt to browbeat judges”.

The controversy stems from a December 1 order passed by Justice Swaminathan, in which he held that the Arulmighu Subramania Swamy Temple was duty-bound to light a lamp at the Deepathoon, in addition to the customary lighting near the Uchi Pillaiyar Mandapam. The judge had clarified that lighting the lamp would not encroach upon the rights of the adjacent dargah or the Muslim community.

Following the order, a political row erupted, and on D

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