Justice Hemalatha allows ‘Girivalam’ ritual outside a temple with the condition that it remains peaceful without any provocative slogans or any other gestures
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has observed that all the Religious processions should spread positivity and brotherhood and in no manner should be a cause for any communal disturbance.
The observation was made recently by a Single Bench of Justice R. Hemalatha while allowing a religious procession around a temple in Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu, reports Live Law.
She was hearing the plea of one M. Thangaraj who prayed before the Court for allowing the general public to participate in the ritual “Girivalam” outside Arulmigu Padmagirishwhara Swamy and Arulmigu Abirami Ambigai Temple in Dindigul District.
The petitioner had challenged an order of the District Collector of Dindigul District who had prohibited gathering of more than five people outside the temple.
The Inspector of Police, Dindigul Town, submitted before the Court that as per the intelligence report, members from Hindu Religions Organization, Hindu Munnani and Hindu Makkal Katchi joined the procession.
It was also submitted that they were also carrying banners, placards, mike sets, chanting slogans and beating drums. Muslims of the area took objection to this. They claimed that the Rock Fort is their religious site, where they offer Namaz and Prayers, whereas the Hindu Makkal Katchi and other Hindu outfits were planning to lit lamps atop the hills.
Noting that Hindus have been following the ritual of ‘Girivalam’ for the last ten years, Justice Hemalatha observed: “All the Religious processions should spread positivity and brotherhood and in no manner should be a cause for any communal disturbance. This applies for all religions and this Court expects every individual to believe in unity in diversity and communal harmony.”
Keeping in mind the Covid-19 protocol as well as law and order into consideration, the Court directed that it should be ensured that the procession is peaceful without any provocative slogans or any other gestures.
In a related case earlier on February 19, Justice Hemalatha allowed a petition that sought permission to conduct an awareness campaign in and around Madurai for the construction of ‘Sri Rama Temple in Ayodhya’.
She directed the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, to consider the representation of the petitioner and pass appropriate orders with reasonable restrictions for the free movement of the vehicle in and around Madurai.
