R.Mariappan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.08.2016

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE S.VIMALA W.P(MD)No.16063 of 2016 R.Mariappan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli District.

3.The Tahsildar, Thiruvengadam Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Thiruvengadam Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission to conduct the temple festival from 31.08.2016 to 01.09.2016 and Cultural Programme for Gramia Nadanam on 01.09.2016 at Arulmigu Shri Santhanamariamman Thirukovil situated at Alagapuri Village, Thiruvengadam Taluk, Tirunelveli District and to provide adequate police protection based on the Petitioner's representation, dated 12.08.2016.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Anantha Murugan For Respondents : Mr.D.Muruganandam, Addl. Govt. Pleader.

O R D E R

The writ petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission to conduct the temple festival from 31.08.2016 to 01.09.2016 and Cultural Programme for Gramia Nadanam on 01.09.2016 at Arulmigu Shri Santhanamariamman Thirukovil situated at Alagapuri Village, Thiruvengadam Taluk, Tirunelveli District and to provide adequate police protection based on the Petitioner's representation, dated 12.08.2016. 2.Mr.D.Muruganandam, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice for the respondents. By consent, the writ petition itself is taken up for final disposal.

3.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the programme is being conducted by the villagers regularly in order to promote harmony during the above said festival period; that a representation was given to the fourth respondent, but, however, the same was not considered by the fourth respondent so far and hence, the petitioner is before this Court with this writ petition. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would further submit that as the aforesaid festival is celebrated in a peaceful manner by the villagers, there will be no untoward incident on account of this celebration.

5.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, on instructions, would submit that the permission sought for by the petitioner may be granted with appropriate and stringent conditions for maintaining law and order and also to avoid any untoward incident during performance of such programme. 6.Accordingly, in view of the submission made by the learned Additional Government Pleader, the Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the fourth respondent police to accord permission to the petitioner to conduct the temple festival from 31.08.2016 to 01.09.2016 and Cultural Programme for Gramia Nadanam on 01.09.2016 at Arulmigu Shri Santhanamariamman Thirukovil situated at Alagapuri Village, Thiruvengadam Taluk, Tirunelveli District and to provide adequate police protection, between 07.00 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., by incorporating the following conditions:

(a) Obscene dance / songs / vulgar dialogues should be avoided during the programme;

(b) Songs conveying obscene double meaning should not be played in order to avoid awkwardness;

(c) No dance or songs, touching upon the conduct of any political party or community or caste be played; (d) No flex boards in support of any political party or religious leader be erected;

(e) The programme shall be conducted without showing any discrimination based on caste / community etc., and it shall be ensured that it is towards promoting communal harmony; (f) the participants of the programme shall not intake any kind of intoxicating substance or liquor during the programme; (g) In respect of untoward incident occurring, the organizers of the programme be responsible for the same; and (h) If there is any violation of any of the conditions imposed, the concerned Police Officer is at liberty to take necessary action, as per law and stop such performance. No costs. SD ASST REGISTRAR ( WRITS ) TRUE COPY SUB ASST REGISTRAR srm

To 1.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli District.

3.The Tahsildar, Thiruvengadam Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Thiruvengadam Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

1CC TO MR. S.M. ANANTHAMURUGAN, ADVOCATE,SR:47848 1CC TO THE SPL GOVT PLEADER SR: 47736 PA GSV PM SARI 29 8 16 3P 7C ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.16063 of 2016 29.08.2016