Representative picture | Photo Credit: C. Venkodachalapsy
Given that the Madurai Madurai has granted Hindu Munnani permission to lead Muruga Bacthargalin Aanmeega Maanad 22 June and an extended preliminary event with certain conditions, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court modified certain conditions and ordered organizers to keep communal harmony.
The court heard petitions filed by Hindu Munnani, who were looking for permission to extend the progressive celebration before the conference, which included the leadership of the Pojas on the miniature six dwellings of Lord Murugan temporarily at Amma Thidal near Vandiyur. The organizers also questioned the conditions stored by the police. There have also been a preparation of petitions against the implementation of events and preliminary events.
Justice B. Pugalendhi noted that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to freely profess, practice and promote their religion. Therefore, each individual or organization is to keep its function on the basis of religious faith. However, this right is not absolute. There may be restrictions if it should affect municipal harmony. The court noted: “Our country is a diverse society that has people with different faiths. The performance of religious freedom must be harmonized by a wider goal of maintaining public order, mortality and social harmony.”
The Supreme Court seized the law enforcement authorities to issue orders whenever they found that persons, manifestations or conduct were likely to evoke municipal antagonism and hatred that affects municipal harmony. In the present case, the state, like the petitioners, is detaining that in the role of a religious event, the organizers can invalidate other communities and there is a possibility of municipal clash, the court noted.
The Court of Justice said that the Act on Religious Institutions (prevention of abuse) defined religious institution, like any organ to support any religion or persuasion and included any place or premises used as a place of public religious worship.
Section 6 of the Act prohibits any ceremony, festival, choir, parade or assembly organized or held under its auspices to be used for any political activity. The petitioner organization, which claims to support religious values, can also be included in this definition, she said.
Regarding the condition of passing the vehicle, the court stated that there was no reason to interfere with the state. If any participant asks for the passage of the vehicle, the police will issue it in 24 hours. The reasons must be valid in case of refusal. The police will have an idea of the persons and the number of vehicles who are likely to attend a conference. There is no need to provide separate details of the organizers.
The court noted that the condition laid down to obtain permission from the department of the Hindu religious and charity entrance department before the installation of the miniatures seemed to be mechanically stored. Similarly, other condition for the authorization of corporate authorities.
The court allowed the petitioner to use two drones to cover events and speakers, if they were to be installed, they must be in the extent of the rules for pollution by noise (regulation and control). The requirement of the police permit to implement the event is to ensure that there are no laws and orders, the court said.
Crowd managing
The petitioner said he did not need police assistance to manage the crowd because he had already volunteers. The court, taking into account that the event is to be carried out on the highway, said it should not lead to a traffic jam. Therefore, the necessary police staff can be deployed to ensure free flow of operation. If the organizers required any police staff, this would be considered by noting that, according to government orders, it noted that the court had noted.
The concern of the state and the implementation of the petitioners that the event may disrupt municipal harmony has relied on the incident that occurred in Thirupparankndram. The event is organized as a religious conference for devoted Lord Murugan. With this is the goal, the organizers must strictly fulfill the observation of the Supreme Court and ensure that municipal harmony is maintained, the court ordered.
Published – 16 June 2025 12:27
