Court partly grants temple festival permissions, rejecting event linked to past violence, imposing conditions for public safety.

ORDER

This petition has been filed seeking writ of mandamus directing to give permission to the petitioner to conduct “Innisai Katcheri” on 29.03.2026, “Villu Pattu” on 30.03.2026 and Karagattam on 31.03.2026 in connection with “Panguni Festival” of “Arulmighu Sri Ambigavathi Temple” situated at Kakkanallur Village, Ambsamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District, by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 16.03.2026.

2. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that on earlier occasions, two murders were reported in and around the said village during the conduct of 'Karagattam'. Hence, the question of granting permission for conducting 'Karagattam' will not arise.

3.In view of the aforesaid submission, the permission sought for by the petitioner in respect of conducting 'Karagattam' is rejected.

4.As far as the other relief i.e., to grant permission in respect of conducting “Innisai Katcheri” on 29.03.2026 and “Villu Pattu” on 30.03.2026 is concerned, it is brought to the notice of this Court that the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu issued two circulars bearing Rc.No.159539/Crime.

4(3)/2018, signed on 31.10.2018 and Rc.007301/GenlI(1)/2019, dated 09.04.2019, wherein instructions have been given to the Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu for consideration of applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programme.

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

(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct “Innisai Katcheri” on

29.03.2026 and “Villu Pattu” on 30.03.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in “Arulmighu Sri Ambigavathi Temple”, Kakkanallur Village, Ambsamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli 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 and procession of Deity 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 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 concerned consider to impose according to the ground reality.

(n)In case of violation of any conditions, it is open to the authorities to initiate such action as is required under law and the persons who are the organisers/committee members shall be held responsible.

No costs.