S.Arun v. The Revenue Divisional Officer/Sub Collector,

ORDER This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the second respondent to grant permission and provide adequate police protection for conducting the Sri Kaliamman Temple Festival and associated cultural programs (including Valli Thirumanam Drama and Dance Program) at Munduvelampatti Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District scheduled to be held on 01.04.2026 based on the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2026 and also as per the intimation given by the first respondent in Na.Ka.No. 1370/2026/A1, dated 24.03.2026.

¶2It 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.

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

(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Valli Thirumanam Drama on

31.03.2026 and Adal Padal program on 01.04.2026, in connection with the festival at Sri Kaliamman Temple Festival at Munduvelampatti Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai 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/placards on either side of the arterial roads, platforms, walkways/major roads and any other roads;

(i) the function should not affect caste, religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination;

(j) the Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time;

(k) if any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same;

(l) the organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned;

(m) Any other conditions as the authority concerned consider to impose according to the ground reality. In case of violation of any conditions, it is open to the authorities to initiate such action as is required under law and the persons who are the organisers/committee members shall be held responsible.

27.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 27.03.2026. TO:-

¶1The Revenue Divisional Officer/ Sub Collector, (Returning Officer-197 Usilampatti Assembly Constituency), Usilampatti, Madurai District.

¶2The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Usilampatti Sub-Division, Madurai District.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Chekkanurani Police Station, Madurai District.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm Dated

27.03.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI S.Arun ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The Revenue Divisional Officer/ Sub Collector, (Returning Officer-197 Usilampatti Assembly Constituency), Usilampatti, Madurai District. 2. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Usilampatti Sub-Division, Madurai District. 3. The Inspector of Police, Chekkanurani Police Station, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to grant permission and provide adequate police protection for conducting the Sri Kaliamman Temple Festival and associated cultural programs (including Valli Thirumanam Drama and Dance Program) at Munduvelampatti Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District scheduled to be held on 01.04.2026 based on the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2026 and also as per the intimation given by the first respondent in Na.Ka.No.1370/2026/A1, dated 24.03.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sumesh For Respondents : Mr.S.Ravi (R2 & R3) Additional Public Prosecutor Mr.C.Satheesh (R1) Government Advocate (Civil)