The right to peaceful assembly is subject to reasonable restrictions to maintain public order, especially in sensitive areas.

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking to quash the impugned order passed by the second respondent in Na.Ka.No. 11/Mugaam/Kaa.U.AA/L and O/2025, dated 16.02.2025 and consequently to direct the respondents to permit the petitioner's Jamath to conduct procession and demonstration relating to Dargah of Mahan Sikkanthar Sulthan Badusha Oliyullah which is scheduled to be held on 20.02.2025 at about 4.00 pm from Thiruparankundram Sannathi Street to Thiruparankundram Bus Stand with police protection

2.The learned Counsel for the petitioner would submit that he is the Vice President of Adh Dhakvaa Muslim Jamath, Therkuvasal, Madurai. They used to conduct prayers in Dargah of Mahan Sikkanthar Sulthan Badusha Oliyullah situated at Thiruparankundram Hills. People belonging to other religion have also use to visit the Dharka often. While so, some of the political party have tried to disturb the worship rights and tried to get political leverage by using this issue. Therefore, a peaceful demonstration and procession relating to said issue is decided to be conducted on 20.02.2025. Therefore, the petitioner sent a representation to the respondents dated 15.02.2025 for peaceful demonstration and procession and the same was rejected by the second respondent through order, dated 16.02.2025 in Na.Ka.No. 11/Mugaam/Kaa.U.AA/L and O/2025. The order passed by the second respondent is against the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India. Therefore, the impugned order passed by the second respondent is liable to be set aside.

3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police would submit that already there is a tension prevailing in the locality due to dispute between two religion people. Now, the petitioner wants to conduct procession near the temple and thereby, cause disturbance to the public and also will create law and order issue and the said place is also very busy area. Already so many writ petitions have been filed and the same are pending. Considering the circumstances prevailing in the locality, the second respondent has refused to grant permission. Therefore, there is no illegality in the impugned order passed by the second respondent. Moreover, this Court has already dismissed the petition filed seeking permission to conduct procession in W.P(MD)No.4732 of 2025, dated 14.02.2025. He would further submit that forty cases have been registered as against various persons, in respect of Thiruparankundram temple matter. The averments in the petition itself shows the intention of the petitioner to create law and order issue. Therefore, he strongly opposed to allow this petition.

4.Heard both sides and perused the records.

5.The petitioner has filed this petition challenging the order passed by the second respondent rejecting the petitioner's request for granting permission to conduct procession on 20.02.2025 at about 04.00 p.m from Thiruparankundram Sannathi Street to Thiruparankundram Bus Stand. Though the learned Counsel for the petitioner stated that they will make peaceful demonstration and procession and the same is their constitutional right, the said right is subject to reasonable restrictions and already there is a tension prevailing over the locality and this petitioner also in paragraph No.5 of the affidavit stated that:

"5. I humbly submit that, the Dargah of Mahan Sikkanthar Sulthan Badusha Oliyullah was built in the 17^th and 18^th centuries to honor the last Madurai Sultan, Sikander Shah, who was killed there in 1377. From the date of built, the people belong to the Muslim religion has conducted their prayers by following their practice. It is pertinent to note that, even people belong to other religion has visited the Dargah often. In this circumstances, some political parties have tried to disturb our worship rights in Dargah of Mahan Sikkanthar Sulthan Badusha Oliyullah in Thiruparankundram hills at Madurai and tried to get political leverage by using this issue. Therefore,