The Court upholds the right to conduct cultural events subject to conditions ensuring safety and compliance with existing laws.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 06.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Palanimurugan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District, Sivagangi.

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manamadurai Division, Sivagangai District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Poovanthi Police Station, Sivagangai District. ... Respondents PRAYER :-Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the impugned rejection order passed by the 4^th respondent vide his proceedings in Na.Ka.No.05/26, dated 28.02.2026 and quash the same and consequently, direct the respondents to grant permission and protection to conduct Kida Muttu Cultural event scheduled to be taken place on 22.03.2026 between 09.00 A.M to 05.00 P.M. in connection with 73^rd birthday of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Hon'ble M.K.Stalin at Survey No.141/1A3, Madapuram Pathirakaliamman Nagar, Manamadurai Division, Sivagangai District.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Vinodh For R1 : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate(Civil Side) For R2 - R4 : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate(Crl.Side)

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed challenging the impugned order in Na.Ka.No.05/26, dated 28.02.2026 passed by the 4^th respondent and quash the same, and consequently direct the respondents to grant permission and protection to conduct Kida Muttu Cultural event scheduled to be taken place on 22.03.2026 between 09.00 A.M to 05.00 P.M. at Survey No.141/1A3, Madapuram Pathirakaliamman Nagar, Manamadurai Division, Sivagangai District.

2. This Court has already considered the said issue of Kida-Muttu in several writ petitions. In the order passed by this Court in W.P.

(MD)No.16489 of 2025, dated 18.06.2025, this Court has held that the same may be permitted based on certain conditions. The relevant portion of the order is extracted hereunder:

"3. This Court is of the considered opinion that the event can be permitted to be held subject to appropriate conditions. The second respondent is directed to issue appropriate proceedings granting permission for conducting of the event. It is open to the second respondent to stipulate appropriate conditions. The petitioner is obliged to adhere to the same. If any objection is raised by a third party, such objection shall also be duly considered before passing the order. The function is to be held on 26.06.2025. Hence, the proceedings as sought for shall be issued within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Since the Sangam intends to conduct the said cultural event, the petitioner Sangam is directed to deposit Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) to “The Head Master, Panchayat Union Middle School, LKB Nagar, Sakkimangalam, Madurai in the South Indian Bank Ltd., Sourashtra Colony, Meeatchi Nagar, Sakkimangalam, Madurai – 625 201 Account No. 0733053000000794 IFSC No.SBIL0000733. This fund shall be utilized for the purpose of purchasing furniture (Benches & Desks) for newly constructed class rooms under “Namakku Naame”

Scheme."

3. This Court has also considered the said issue in the order passed in W.P.(MD)No.15410 of 2024, dated 11.07.2024, wherein the Learned Single Judge has held that since it is conducted annually from time immemorial, the same may be allowed based on certain conditions. 4. The Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in the order passed in W.P.(MD) No.9597 of 2025, dated 04.04.2025, has also considered the same and granted permission with conditions. The conditions stipulated in the said order are extracted hereunder:

"2.A similar Writ Petition was filed before this Court praying for a direction to condu