Madras High Court Limits Thirupparankundram Hill Festival To 50 Participants; Bans Animal Sacrifice
The Court directed law enforcement to maintain law and order and to "strictly enforce" the prohibition on meat and animal sacrifice to prevent any potential disruptions.
The Madras High Court issued a series of stringent interim directions regarding the upcoming religious festivities at the Thirupparankundram hill, explicitly prohibiting animal sacrifice and non-vegetarian feasts.
The Bench comprising Justice S Srimathy observed, “After hearing the rival submissions of the parties, this Court is passing the following interim orders: i)The 5th respondent is strictly directed to conduct the Urus festival alone. ii)The number of participants in the festival shall be restricted to fifty only. iii) The 5th respondent is restrained from carrying animal sacrifice and also restrained to carrying animal meet, cook non-vegetarian food and carrying any non-vegetarian food. The above direction shall be enforced from the basement of the hill until the top of the hill. The official respondents shall strictly enforce the above directions iv) The judgments passed by the Hon'ble Full Bench and the judgments rendered in several suits shall be strictly followed. v) The police are strictly directed to maintain law and order.”
Advocate Niranjan S.Kumar appeared on behalf of the Petitioner, whereas AAG R. Baskaran and AAG Veera Kathiravan appeared for the Respondents.
Facts of the Case
A writ petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the Collector and the Police to prohibit the Managing Trustee, Hazrat Sulthan Sikkanthar Bhadhusha Dargha, herein, from performing Kandhoori on the Thiruparankundram Hill as per the petitioner's representation.
Contention of the Parties
The Respondents submitted that the present festival is only for Santhanakoodu Urus; hence, permission would be granted only for the Santhanakoodu festival, which is scheduled on January 6, 2026. It was further submitted that the permission was granted for the year 2023, and the same would be followed this year also. Furthermore, apart from the above, the permission will not be granted for Kandhoori Mahautsav, and the order passed by the Court will be strictly followed.
It was submitted that the issue was already considered by the Division Bench and therefore, the present petition was not maintainable. It was further submitted that the issue has already been settled. Hence, the principles of res judicata would be attracted.
Observations of the Court
“The animal sacrifice, carrying animal meat, cooking of non-vegetarian and carrying any non-vegetarian food would not be permitted,” the Court said.
Accordingly, the Court listed the matter for a further date.
Cause Title: M. Manickamoorthy v. The District Collector [WP Crl. (MD) NO. 2754 of 2025]
Appearances:
Petitioner: Advocates Niranjan S.Kumar and H. Velavadhas
Respondents: AAG R.Baskaran, AAG Veera Kathiravan, Advocates M.Muthumanikam, S. Ravi, S. Vanchinathan and Chandrasekara.