Aari Raguraman Kutti Pattan Festival Committee v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.04.2024 CORAM :

THE HON`BLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI and W.M.P.(MD)No.8602 of 2024 Aari Raguraman Kutti Pattan Festival Committee, Rep.by its President, Dr.V.Vasantha Kumar, No.4/98, Manaparai Road, Iyer Malai, Sathyamangalam Village, Kuzhithalai Taluk, Karur District.

... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Karur, Karur District.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Karur, Karur District.

3.The Revenue Division Officer, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur, Karur District.

4.The Tahsildar, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur 6.M.Selvaraj ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to forbear the first to fourth respondents from insisting for prior permission for the celebration and performance of traditional, religious and customary practices on the occasion 1/6

of Mahaa Pooja Festival for Sri Pattathalachi Amman and Sri Periya Swamy Temple situated at Valaiyappatti, Sivayam Karumparrai, Eraniyamangalm Village, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur District scheduled on 9th of Vaikasi Tamil Month (22.05.2024) till 15th Vaikasi Tamil Month (28.05.2024) or any other date without any hindrance.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lajapathy Roy Senior Counsel for Mr.M.Mahaboob Fazil For R1 to R5 : Mr.T.Senthil Kumar, Additional Public Prosecutor.

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to forbear the first to fourth respondents from insisting for prior permission for the celebration and performance of traditional, religious and customary practices on the occasion of Mahaa Pooja Festival for Sri Pattathalachi Amman and Sri Periya Swamy Temple situated at Valaiyappatti, Sivayam Karumparrai, Eraniyamangalam Village, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur District scheduled from 22.05.2024 till 28.05.2024.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that Mahaa Pooja Festival is celebrated every year in the village and they 2/6

decided to celebrate the same in this year also. However, the sixth respondent is stalling the temple festival and hence, the petitioner, who is the President of the Temple committee, filed the present petition seeking the aforesaid prayer.

3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the official respondents submits that two groups are claiming that they are the administrative members of the temple and there is commotion between the two groups.

4.This Court heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials.

5.On the difference of opinion between the two groups, the festival of the Temple should not be stalled and therefore, this Court directs the Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Karur District to take charge of the Sri Pattathalachi Amman and Sri Periya Swamy Temple situated at Valaiyappatti, Sivayam Karumparrai, Eraniyamangalam Village, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur District for the purpose of conducting festival, which is scheduled to be conducted from 22.05.2024 to 28.05.2024. If the Assistant 3/6

Commissioner requires Police protection, necessary application shall be filed before the fifth respondent and the fifth respondent shall provide adequate Police protection to the Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, for the peaceful conduct of the festival. The parties have to restrain themselves from interfering with the Assistant Commissioner. This interim arrangement has been made only for the purpose of conducting of festival. The petitioner and the sixth respondent have to co-operate for the peaceful conduct of the festival.

6.In the result, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. Registry is directed to mark a copy of this order to the Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Karur District. 29.04.2024 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes gns 4/6

To 1.The District Collector, Karur, Karur District.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Karur, Karur District.

3.The Revenue Division Officer, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur, Karur District.

4.The Tahsildar, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur.

6.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Karur District.

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B.PUGALENDHI,J gns 29.04.2024 6/6