Court grants conditional permission for temple festival cultural programs prohibiting obscenity, politics, and ensuring modesty and harmony.

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI S.Sankareswaran ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Collector / District Election Officer, Office of the District Collector, Virudhunagar District.

2. The Election Officer / Returning Officer, 204, Sattur Assembly Constituency, O/o. the Revenue Divisional Officer, Sattur, Virudhunagar District.

3. The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District.

4. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sattur Sub Division, Virudhunagar District.

5. The Inspector of Police, Vembakottai Police Station, Virudhunagar District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 07.04.2026 and consequently grant permission and adequate police protection to perform the cultural programmes including Adal Padal scheduled to be held on 11.05.2026 and 13.05.2026 and to set up Rattinam for all four days of the festival from 10.05.2026 to 13.05.2026 in connection with the 154^th year Chithirai Thiruvizha at Arulmigu Annai Parasakthi Mariyamman and Annai Pathrakaliyamman Temple, Sundankulam Village, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

For Petitioner : Mr.J.Ashwin For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (Rr to R5)

Government Advocate (Crl.)

Mr.M.Muthumanikkam (R1 & R2)

Government Advocate (Civil)

ORDER

This petition has been filed seeing for a direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 07.04.2026 and consequently grant permission and adequate police protection to perform the cultural programmes including Adal Padal scheduled to be held on 11.05.2026 and 13.05.2026 and to set up Rattinam for all four days of the festival from 10.05.2026 to 13.05.2026 in connection with the 154^th year Chithirai Thiruvizha at Arulmigu Annai Parasakthi Mariyamman and Annai Pathrakaliyamman Temple, Sundankulam Village, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

2. 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.

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

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

11.05.2026 in connection with Chithirai Thiruvizha at Arulmigu Annai Parasakthi Mariyamman and Annai Pathrakaliyamman Temple, Sundankulam Village, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar 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/placard