AI Structured Summary
Not yet generated for this judgment
Judgment
The petitioner comeup with the Writ Petition in the nature of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the order passed by the 3rd respondent dated 28.08.2026 and quash the same and consequently, direct the 3rd respondent to grant permission, with adequate police protection, for conducting the Adal Padal programme at Arulmighu Sri Putradi Maha Mariamman Temple on 08.09.2026 at about 07.00 pm to 10.00 pm in Ayyan Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Manojipatti, Thanjavur Taluk, Thanjavur District.
The reason assigned by the 3rd respondent for rejecting permission to conduct the Adal Padal programme is that, if the programme is permitted to take place, there is a possibility of a law and order problem. Therefore, the request was rejected, beyond that, no other reason has been assigned.
The mere apprehension of a law and order problem may arise is not a good ground. If any law and order problem exists in the locality, or if the organiser of the event was involved in any sensational criminal cases, or if there was any rivalry among the villagers, the same could be considered as grounds for rejection.
The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that there is no rival party in the village. The petitioner has been organising the said programme for the past 17 years with the permission of the police, including oral permission on earlier occasions.
Considering the above aspects, since the petitioner had conducted the Aadal Padal programme peacefully in the past, the rejection order does not disclose any valid or sufficient reason for refusing permission and therefore, the rejection order passed by the 3rd respondent is liable to set aside.
In view of the it, this Writ Petition is allowed and the impugned order passed by the third respondent is hereby set aside, with a direction to the respondent police to permit the petitioner to conduct the Adal Padal programme during the temple festival scheduled to be held on 08.09.2026, subject to the condition that:
The petitioner is permitted to conduct cultural program “Adal Padal” on 08.09.2026 from 07.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m, in connection with festival of Arulmighu Sri Putradi Maha Mariamman Temple, situated at Ayyan Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Manojipatti, Thanjavur Taluk, Thanjavur District. .
The organisers, who are 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;
The program shall not extend beyond 10.00 p.m.;
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;
There should not be any kind of obscene dance or vulgar dialogues during the performance, by anyone of the participants;
The music that shall be used shall be in sync with the precincts of the temple and double meaning songs should not be played so as to spoil the minds of students and youths;
There shall be no supply of alcohol or any intoxicating material by participants or audience in and around the area where cultural program is scheduled to be held;
No donations or prizes in the name of political parties;
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.
No slogans or speeches supporting or opposing any political party or party leader, any caste, community or creed;
No political symbols or banners supporting political parties or communal leaders;
Songs praising communal leader or having communal overtones should not be played
Organizers shall not erect any digital banners/placards on either side of the arterial roads, platforms, walkways/major roads and any other roads;
No flex boards in support of any political party or communal leader, shall be erected at the premises of the programme;
The function should not affect caste, religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination;
The attire of the dancers performing in the said programme should be modest and should not involve exposure of the midriff, thighs, legs or chest. Any violation of this condition shall result in legal action, including the arrest of the organisers and all members of the temple committee.
It is made clear that the actors / actresses of the Adal Padal program should wear proper Dress as follows:
Dress code:
For men : Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth;
For women : Sarees or half saree, chudithars with upper cloth
For children : Any fully covered dress;
The entire programme shall be videographed by the programme organizers and the same shall be furnished to the respondent police. If any deviation is noticed, the respondent police is directed to register a case as against the programme organizers and the artists of the Adal Padal programme.
The Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time;
The organizers shall ensure that no untoward incidents is caused disturbing the public peace and tranquility.
If any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same;
The organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned;
The police bundobust charges (five police officials) shall be paid by the organizers committee;
If there is violation of any one of the conditions imposed, the concerned police officer is at liberty to take necessary action, as per law and stop such performance forthwith and bring the same to the notice of this Court.
Any other conditions as the authority concerned considers necessary 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.