Plea against prohibiting religious feast at school binned
The petitioner stated that the trust has been conducting the Thirukalyana Virundhu for nearly 35 years, initially within the temple premises and, since around the year 2000, at the Sethupathi Higher Secondary School grounds. He stated that approximately 10,000 devotees are served every year through voluntary contributions from the public and the services of hundreds of volunteers. Madurai : Madras high court dismissed a plea seeking the officials not to prevent the conduct of Thirukalyana Virundhu during Chithirai festival at Sethupathi Higher Secondary School Grounds in Madurai, by citing a GO issued by the school education department imposing a blanket ban on using school premises for religious events. The event is conducted once a year, generally during school vacation without causing any disruption to the educational activities of the institution and without financial assistance from the govt or any public authority. Hence, the petitioner moved court. The petitioner approached the court apprehending that the GO would be applied to prohibit the conduct of the event at the school grounds. In the circumstances, the court is of the view that the challenge to the GO, solely on the apprehension expressed by the petitioner, is premature at this stage, the judges observed and dismissed the petition.