Andhra Pradesh High Court Directs Authorities To Facilitate VHP In Carrying Out Ganapati Idol Procession On Suggested Route

The Petition before the High Court was filed by the petitioner-Viswa Hindu Parishad against the denial of permission by the Principal Secretary, Secretariat Buildings and the Adoni Municipality for the procession of the Lord Vinayaka idols for immersion in the canal on the suggested route in Adoni Town.

The Single Bench of Justice Harinath.N directed, “...there shall be a direction to the 2nd respondent, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Adoni Division, Kurnool district, the Station House Officer, I Town Police Station, Adoni, and the Station House Officer, II Town Police Station, Adoni, to facilitate the petitioner in carrying out the procession of the Lord Vinayaka idols for immersion in the canal via Arts College, Srikrishna Devalayam, Emmiganur Circle, Sri Anantha Mangala Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Nirmala 6 Talkies, II Town Police Station, Srinivasa Bhavan, and Kotta Bridge.”

Advocate J.V.Phaniduth represented the Petitioner, while Government Pleader represented the Respondent.

Factual Background

It was brought to the Court’s notice that the procession with the idols for immersion has been following the same route for the last thirty years. It was the case of the Petitioner that since the last two years, the respondent authorities are causing inconvenience by imposing unwarranted restrictions and diverting the route of the procession through a narrow 15 feet road, thereby making it impossible for the petitioner to pass through such narrow routes with some idols that are above 15 feet in height. The same was brought to the notice of the respondent authorities; however, no action was taken to facilitate the petitioner to take out the procession for immersion on the route that has been followed for the last twenty to thirty years. There was no response to the petitioner’s representation.

Arguments

The Petitioner had placed reliance on a judgment of the Madras High Court passed in W.A. Nos. 743 and 2064 of 2019, wherein it was held that there cannot be a prohibition for any procession, including religious processions, through roads by the District administration or police authorities, and there can be only regulation by the police or other Government authorities to see that no untoward incident occurs or any law and order problem arises.

The Respondent brought to the attention of the Court the fact that during the procession in the year 2011, communal clashes took place between two different communities near the Madina Mosque. It was the respondents’ case that the route map was also followed since the year 2004; however, the competent authority was the Deputy Superintendent of Police, who had to accord permission.

Directions

In light of the facts and circumstances of the case, the Bench directed the Adoni Municipality, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Adoni Division, Kurnool district, the Station House Officer, I Town Police Station, Adoni, and the Station House Officer, II Town Police Station, Adoni, to facilitate the petitioner in carrying out the procession of the Lord Vinayaka idols for immersion in the canal via Arts College, Srikrishna Devalayam, Emmiganur Circle, Sri Anantha Mangala Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Nirmala Talkies, II Town Police Station, Srinivasa Bhavan, and Kotta Bridge.

The Bench also ordered the Authorities to take necessary steps to ensure a peaceful procession and, if need be, deploy adequate personnel and machinery to ensure the peaceful procession and subsequent immersion.

“The respondents may also install cameras or record the procession to monitor the procession and keep an eye on the trouble mongers”, the Bench held while disposing of the Petition.

Cause Title: Viswa Hindu Parishad v. The State of Andhra Pradesh (Case No.: Writ Petition No.: 22944/2025)

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