Ram Mandir Opening: Madras HC Says No Police Nod Needed for Private Events, Cites TN Govt Stand

On Pran Prathishta ceremony's live telecast, Madras HC court said, "Bhakti towards God is only for peace and happiness and not to disturb the social equilibrium."

During an urgent hearing on Monday, the Madras High Court issued an order stating that there would be no restrictions on live telecast of Pran Pratishtha on private premises. Further, the court emphasised that no permission was required to conduct functions in private places citing Tamil Nadu government's stand. The court further expressed, "Bhakti towards God is only for peace and happiness and not to disturb the social equilibrium."

Ahead of the grand temple's 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the High Court has ruled that organisers have the discretion to arrange live streaming for the consecration ceremony.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh passed this order in response to a writ petition filed by L Ganapathy challenging the denial of permission by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Avadi Division, Pattabhiram Division Incharge to conduct Bhajan and Annadanam on Monday at a marriage hall in Pattabhiram.

The State, represented by Additional Public Prosecutor A Damodharan, clarified that functions, bhajans, and Annadhanams held in private enclosures like mandapams, private temples and any other private places do not require police permission. The court emphasized that the decision to arrange live streaming for the Pran Prathishta in Ayodhya is at the discretion of the organizers.

The judge said the "above stand taken by the State Government and the Police makes it quite clear that conducting the function considering the auspicious occasion, singing Bhajans/ uttering Rama Nama, (conducting) Annadhanams is not per se prohibited or restricted and it must be borne in mind that all this will be done in a responsible and pious manner today without giving rise to any law and order problem."

"No misinformation or wrong information must be permitted to be spread and this will be kept in mind by all parties concerned. Ultimately everyone concerned must keep in mind that Bhakti towards God is only for peace and happiness and not to disturb the equilibrium prevailing in the society," the judge said, as per a report on PTI. The judge then disposed of the petition.