Background Matrix 

In the Instant Case of K. Thangarasu v. Secretary, a writ suit was filed asking the State to provide police protection so that the Arulmigu Sri Rudhra Maha Kaliamman Aalaya Temple celebration may be held on the 14th anniversary of Theemidhi Urtchava Celebration in Sirkali Town. The petitioner stated that the festival has been held annually during the Aadi month and that he is the hereditary trustee of the temple. For the celebration to go off without a hitch, the petitioner requested police protection. The current writ suit was filed because the representation was not taken into account.

Observation of the Court 

While expressing dismay that the Court must deal with writ petitions of this nature on a daily basis during the months when Tamil Nadu holds temple festivals, the Single Judge Bench of the Madras High Court left it up to the parties to conduct the festival peacefully without letting their egos take centre stage instead of granting police protection. Additionally, it said that if any law-and-order issues arise, the police must intervene right away, take appropriate action against all those involved, and stop the festival from continuing.

The Court contended that the objective of temple festivals was defeated since they are not about devotion but rather a display of power by one group. If temples encourage violence, it would be preferable to close them rather than have them exist at all. The Court also noted that settling arguments between parties over who has the right to hold temple festivals is a waste of the time and resources of the Police and Revenue Department. The Court declined to award police protection for temple celebrations on the grounds that the Revenue and Police cannot afford to squander their valuable time on issues like this.

CASE NAME – K. Thangarasu v. Secretary, Writ Petition No. 21707 of 2023