Back
2026 Supreme(Online)(AP) 24388
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI
Maheswara Rao Kuncheam, J
BOBBA RAMESH CHOWDARY – Appellant
Versus
THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH – Respondent
WRIT PETITION NO: 18206/2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Medapati Santosh Reddy
For the Respondents: GP For Home
The right to conduct religious and cultural festivals is permissible subject to reasonable conditions imposed by the state to prevent obscenity and maintain communal and political neutrality.
Headnote:The petitioner approached the court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, alleging inaction by the respondents in considering a representation dated 26.06.2026 for permission to conduct religious, customary, and cultural programmes during the Sri Sri Sri Maremma Mavulamma Ammavarla Jatara Mahotsavam from 12.07.2026 to 14.07.2026. The petitioner contended that such inaction was arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution of India. The primary issue was whether the petitioner is entitled to permission and police protection for the conduct of the religious festival. The court observed that the respondent police had no objection to granting permission subject to certain conditions. The court reasoned that while the right to conduct religious programmes is protected, it is subject to reasonable restrictions to maintain public order and decency. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the respondents to accord permission and police protection subject to conditions regarding the prohibition of obscene performances, political content, and the requirement of a letter of undertaking.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. petitioner seeks mandamus for permission to conduct a religious festival following administrative inaction. (Para 1 , 3) |
| 2. state's willingness to grant permission subject to conditions versus petitioner's objection to unilateral conditions. (Para 2 , 4 , 5) |
| 3. grant of permission for religious events contingent upon maintaining public decency and political neutrality. (Para 6) |
| 4. formal disposal of the writ petition and direction for implementation of the order. (Para 7 , 8) |
Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS, declaring the inaction of the Respondents in not considering the representation dated 26.06.2026 of the petitioner and according permission to conduct religious, customary and cultural programmes during the Sri Sri Sri Maremma Mavulamma Ammavarla Jatara Mahotsavam to be held from 12.07.2026 to 14.07.2026 at Achanta Vemavaram, Achanta Mandal, West Godavari District, as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the Respondents to consider the representation dated 26.06.2026 and accord permission, together with necessary police protection, for conducting the said Jatara Mahotsavam from 12.07.2026 to 14.07.2026, subject to such reasonable conditions as this Honble Court may deem fit, including those laid down by this Honble Court in Maremma Poleramma Varla Jathara Utsava Committee, Kavitam v. State of Andhra Pradesh , (2020) 2 ALT 295 and to pass
IA NO: 1 OF 2026
Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased leased to direct Respondents to consider the representation dated 26.06.2026 of the petitioner and accord permission, together with necessary police protection, for conducting the religious, customary and cultural programmes of the Sri Sri Sri Maremma Mavulamma Ammavarla Jatara Mahotsavam from 12.07.2026 to 14.07.2026 at Achanta Vemavaram, Achanta Mandal, West Godavari District, subject to such reasonable conditions as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit to impose, including those laid down by this Hon’ble Court in Maremma Poleramma Varla Jathara Utsava Committee, Kavitam v. State of Andhra / Pradesh (2020) 2 ALT 295 pending disposal of the above writ petition and to pass
The Court made the following Order:
Instant Writ Petition has been under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief:
“.... to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the inaction of the Respondents in not considering the representation dated 26.06.2026 of the petitioner and according permission to conduct religious, customary and cultural programmes during the Sri Sri Sri Maremma Mavulamma Ammavarla Jatara Mahotsavam to be held from 12.07.2026 to 14.07.2026 at Achanta Vemavaram, Achanta Mandal, West Godavari District, as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the Respondents to consider the representation dated 26.06.2026 and accord permission, together with necessary police protection, for conducting the said Jatara Mahotsavam from 12.07.2026 to 14.07.2026, subject to such reasonable conditions as this Honble Court may deem fit, including those laid down by this Honble Court in Maremma Poleramma Varla Jathara Utsava Committee, Kavitam v. State of Andhra Pradesh , (2020) 2 ALT 295 and pass such other order or orders …”.
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that Sri Sri Sri Maremma Mavulamma Ammavarla Jatara Mahotsavam is going to be celebrated from 12.07.2026 to 14.07.2026 at Achanta Vemavara
