Madras High CourtWP(MD)/6689/2023disposed of

Kothari v. The District Collector

2023-03-28Honourable Mr Justice C.V. Karthikeyan4 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 28.03.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN Kothari ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Trichy District.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District.

4.The Tahsildar, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Siruganur Police Station, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 2 to 4 to permit the petitioner herein who belongs to four Vagiyara of Kumulur Village to conduct 'Pangudi Uthiram' festival from 03.04.2023 to 05.04.2023 in 1/4

the grand manner for the Arulmigu Keezha Pazhani Sri Balathandyuthabani Subramania Swami Temple, Kumulur, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District based on the petitioner's representation sent on 25.02.2023. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Anandkumar For Respondent : Mr.J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed in the nature of Mandamus seeking a direction to the respondents 2 to 4 to permit the petitioner who belongs to four Vagiyara of Kumulur Village to conduct 'Panguni Uthiram' festival from 03.04.2023 to 05.04.2023 for the Arulmigu Keezha Pazhani Sri Balathandyuthabani Subramania Swami Temple, Kumulur, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District.

2. The petitioner had sought for a direction that Karthikai Deepa Thiruvizha should not be conducted in W.P.(MD)No.26069 of 2022. That related to many temples around the area and not the present temple. In that particular writ petition, the learned Single Judge had expressed a view that a joint petition must be given by everybody and only then, the festival can be conducted and nobody can claim special rights to conduct the festival. 2/4

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader had taken notice on behalf of the respondents.

4. Let the third respondent/ Revenue Divisional Officer, Lalgudi and the fifth respondent / Inspector of Police, Siruganur Police Station, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District, convene a peace committee meeting among all the members of the said village at Kumulur, examine the possibility of conducting 'Panguni Festival' in a peaceful manner. Let everybody be treated equally, let everybody have the same opportunity and same facility to worship and no special preference be granted for any individual. If all the village people satisfy the terms, the Panguni Festival will be conducted in a peaceful manner. For any reason, if the peace committee meeting fails, the Revenue Divisional Officer may conduct the festival by leading from the front and can take it up as a responsibility to do the festival.

5. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 28.03.2023 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No pnn 3/4

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN, J.

pnn To 1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy. 2.The District Revenue Officer, Trichy District. 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District. 4.The Tahsildar, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District. 5.The Inspector of Police, Siruganur Police Station, Lalgudi Taluk, Trichy District.

28.03.2023 4/4