Court grants permission for temple festival cultural programs with strict conditions prohibiting obscenity, politics, and ensuring communal harmony.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 01/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI Ramesh ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Pattukkottai, Thanjavur District. 2. The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

3. The Inspector of Police, Pattukkottai Town Police Station, Thanjavur District. ... Respondents PRAYER :-

To issue a Writ of Mandamus or order or direction in the nature of writ directing the respondents to grant permission and protection for cultural programmes scheduled to be held on 01.04.2026 in connection with Cithirai Thiruvizha Festival in Arulmigu Sri Nadiamman Temple at Kandiyar Street, Pattukottai, Thanjavur District based on the petitioner's representation dated 25.03.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr. P.Gunasekaran, Advocate.

For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh for R1 Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar for R2 and R3 Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed to issue a Writ of Mandamus or order or direction in the nature of writ directing the respondents to grant permission and protection for cultural programmes scheduled to be held on 01.04.2026 in connection with Cithirai Thiruvizha Festival in Arulmigu Sri Nadiamman Temple at Kandiyar Street, Pattukottai, Thanjavur District based on the petitioner's representation dated

25.03.2026.

2. When the matter came up for hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that due to the pendency of this writ petition, they have postponed the conduct of the festival on 07.04.2026.

3. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor, submitted that already necessary permission has been granted to the petitioner for the conduct of the festival.

4. In view of the submission made by the learned Additional Pubilc Prosecutor that permission has been granted by the respondent authorities, the petitioner is directed to conduct the festival and the cultural programme on 07.04.2026, strictly in terms of conditions.

5. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:-

(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct cultural program on

07.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Sri Nadiamman Temple at Kandiyar Street, Pattukottai, Thanjavur District.

(b) The organisers, who shall be the responsible members of the festival committee, shall ensure that only cultural programs having some relevance to the temple or the festival in question would be conducted and there shall not be any obscene display/dance being conducted;

(c) The program shall not extend beyond 10 p.m.;

(d) No women participating in the cultural program would be depicted or portrayed in an obscene or undignified manner either in the form of clothing or otherwise;

(e) The music that shall be used shall be in sync with the precincts of the temple and double meaning songs should not be played;

(f) There shall be no supply of alcohol or any intoxicating material in and around the area where cultural program is scheduled to be held;

(g) None of the songs or dances performed in the said programme shall exhibit any political tone, tenor, or colour, nor shall they relate to or promote any religion, community, or caste.

(h) Organizers shall not erect any digital banners/placards on either side of the arterial roads, platforms, walkways/major roads and any other roads;

(i) the function should not affect caste, religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination;

(j) the Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time;

(k) if any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same;

(l) the organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned;

(m) Any other conditions as the authority