[ Organiser ] Tamil Nadu: Madras High Court upholds cultural celebrations; Model Code of Conduct shouldn’t restrict temple festivals.

The article from the provided URL discusses a landmark decision by the Madras High Court in Tamil Nadu, India¹. The court has ruled that authorities cannot refuse permission to conduct temple festivals solely based on the principle that the model code of conduct is in force due to the Lok Sabha Elections 2024¹. This ruling challenges the approach of Dravidian model rulers who seek to restrict Hindu temple festivals.

The case came to light when a petitioner, Kesavan, approached the Madras High Court with a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India¹. He sought a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, urging the court to review the records of the proceedings conducted by the respondent police on April 29, 2024. The petitioner requested the court to quash the proceedings and direct the respondent to grant permission for a music and dance programme to be held during the temple festival on May 18, 2024, specifically during night hours.

Justice K. Kumaresh Babu presided over the case. He noted that the authorities had denied permission due to the model code of conduct in place for the Assembly Elections. In a detailed four-page order, Justice Babu stated that the authorities cannot deny permission to hold such festivals solely on the grounds of the model code of conduct¹. This ruling comes as Tamil Nadu gears up for the annual temple festivals celebrated in numerous Shiva and Vishnu temples across the state.

Source: Conversation with Bing
Tamil Nadu: Madras High Court upholds cultural celebrations; Model Code .
https://organiser.org/2024/05/14/237467/bharat/tamil-nadu-madras-high-court-upholds-cultural-celebrations-model-code-of-conduct-shouldnt-restrict-temple-festivals/