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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 38465
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J
Vijayakumar – Appellant
Versus
Revenue Divisional Officer / The Election Officer, Aranthangi, Pudukkottai District – Respondent
Writ Petition
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.N.Jeyaram Sidharth
For the Respondents:Mr.M.Muthumanikkam (R1), Government Advocate (Civil), Mr.S.Ravi (R2 & R3), Additional Public Prosecutor
Court modifies temple festival permissions to devotional programs only within restricted hours for public order.
Headnote:Under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing authorities to permit a dance program and Vallithirumana Drama during a temple festival, following an unaddressed representation. Essential facts include rival groups' objections to entertainment programs and authorities' concerns over timings. The court modified permissions to devotional programs only within restricted hours. Key issues involved balancing festival permissions against public order and rival contentions allowing only devotional events. The court's reasoning emphasized restricting non-devotional dance to children of temple committee members for devotional songs and forming a joint committee for peaceful conduct. The writ petition was disposed of with directions for modified devotional programs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on 01.05.2026 and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on 03.05.2026, alongside police oversight.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. petition seeks mandamus for temple event permissions. (Para 1 , 2) |
| 2. opposition to dance; limits on devotional timings. (Para 3 , 4 , 5) |
| 3. court permits modified devotional programs with committee. (Para 6 , 7 , 8) |
ORDER
Seeking to direct the respondent to give permission to the petitioner to organise dance programme on 01.05.2026 from 6.00 p.m to 11.00 p.m and Vallithirumana Drama on 03.05.2026 from 10.00 p.m to 04.00 a.m at Sri Pulikutti Ayyanara Temple by considering the petitioner's representation dated
08.04.2026, this writ petition is filed.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the rival parties are troubling the petitioner from conducting any kind of entertainment programme on the occasion of Sri Pulikutti Ayyanara Temple Festival and hence, he has made a representation dated 08.04.2026. Since the same is not considered by the respondents, the petitioner sought the indulgence of this Court.
3. The learned counsel for the rival party Mr.Shanmugasundaram categorically contended that he had already given a objection representation to the respondents to prevent the petitioner from conducting any kind of dance program during the Temple festival. However, he is amenable for conduct of any devotional program on the said occasion.
4. The learned Government Advocate(civil) submitted that the timing sought for by the petitioner cannot be considered at all.
5. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that any devotional program could be permitted only between 7.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m.
6. Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials available on reocrd.
7. In view of the rival submissions, rather conducting a dance program, the petitioner is permitted to organize a dance program with the children of the temple committee members exclusively for devotional songs on 01.05.2026 from 06.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m and Vallithirumana Drama on 03.05.2026 from 07.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m. The 2nd respondent police is directed to summon the petitioner group and Arumugam group and form a committee consisting of the members of all the groups and thereafter permit the petitioner as well as the rival parties to conduct the temple festival.
8. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.
