2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 41763

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
R. Vijayakumar, J
Peter Alangara Thamburaj – Appellant
Versus
Thasildar/Executive Magistrate, Ilayankudi Taluk, Sivagangai District – Respondent
Writ Petition

The Court exercises its power under Article 226 to mandate administrative intervention via peace committee meetings to resolve local religious rivalries and prevent conflict during public festivals.

Headnote:The petitioner filed a writ petition under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus to prevent the third respondent from conducting a religious festival due to ongoing local rivalries and to ensure a peaceful celebration. The Court observed the underlying conflict between two groups regarding festival management. The primary issue was whether the administrative authorities should intervene to ensure peaceful coexistence during the festival. Relying on the necessity of maintaining law and order while balancing communal harmony, the Court opted for a conciliatory approach rather than granting a total prohibition on the event. The court directed the concerned executive authority to convene a peace committee meeting between the rival groups to reach a consensus, with the final decision on festival conduct contingent upon the outcome of this meeting.