Madras HC refuses to allow cultural dance programmes in temple fests

The court said the practice of sending representations to SHO's seeking permission to hold such festivals to give police protection, which have not even been received by officials, alleging their representations have not been considered and seeking a direction from the court, has to be curbed.

The Judge said the petitioners have not cited any Statute which imposes an obligation or public duty on authorities to permit them to conduct such dances.

He further said police alone are competent to ensure if permission can be granted or denied. When police deny it, the court normally cannot interfere, he said and dismissed the petitions.

On March 4 also, the court had dismissed a batch of petitions seeking a direction to relevant officials to permit organising cultural dance programs in connection with annual temple festivals.

It had said the petitioners are private individuals who seek to make use of temple festivals for dance programmes and not for propitiating the presiding deities of those temples, but for arousing basic instincts of those assembled there under the garb of devotees.