Today, the Supreme Court allowed the Ram Leela Celebrations to be conducted at a school premises in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh and out stay on the order of the High Court of Allahabad, whereby the Ram Leela Celebrations to be conducted at school playground was stayed.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court allowed an urgent hearing of the plea filed by the Shree Nagar Ram Lila Mahotsav Committee challenging the order of the High Court of Allahabad of putting stay on Ramlila celebrations at a school ground in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh.

The Bench of Justice Surya Kant, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh heard the matter and observed, "The festivities are allowed to continued, subject to the condition that no inconvenience is caused to the students and no obstruction is caused in their sports activities."

The Advocate appearing for the Ram Leela Committee submitted that the Ram Leela activities were conducted at the said ground for the past 100 years, however, the same has been stayed by High Court of Allahabad.

"The school does not object, the children participate with their families, more than 2000 people come and visit", said the Advocate for the Ram Leela Committee.

Justice Kant asked the Original Petitioner (Petitioner in the Writ Petition before the High Court of Allahabad), "What happened suddenly that you go to the Court? Last 100 years, where were you?"

Justice Kant also questioned why did the Writ Petitioner does not approach the Court in advance, but only when the celebrations started.

"You are not the student, you are not the parent of the Students, right? You are not the owner of the property. But still, you file PIL...what prevented you to go to Court in advance?", Justice Kant continued to question.

Thereafter, the Bench issued notice in the SLP and continued to record in its Order that it was the admitted case of the Original Petitioner that such Ram Leela activities was conducted since 100 years. Despite that, the Original Petitioner choose to move the PIL only after the Ram Leela Celebrations started on September 14, 2025.

"He, however, choose to approach the High Court, at the time when the festivities had already started on September 14, 2025", Justice Kant noted.

The matter was still pending at the High Court of Allahabad.

The Bench also noted that the students are not affected by the Ram Leela Celebrations as the same takes place in the evening.

"However, having regard to the fact that festivities has been used for past 100 years, we request the High Court to resolve the issue for identifying some other alternative site for such festivals, so that the playground of the school can be used by the students", the Bench recorded in its Order.

Thereafter, the Supreme Court allowed the Ram Leela celebrations to continue by staying the operation of the para 11 of the order passed by High Court of Allahabad, whereby the Ram Leela Committee was restrained from using the playground of the school.

"The festivities are allowed to continued, subject to the condition that no inconvenience is caused to the students and no obstruction is caused in their sports activities", the Court said.

Accordingly, the matter was dismissed.

Background

A PIL was filed at High Court of Allahabad alleging misuse of the school play ground for organizing 'Ram Lila' by unnamed persons, who have formed some Ram Lila Committee. The PIL contended that on the entire play ground cement interlocking titles have been fixed for the purpose of converting the same into a permanent place for holding such an event and thereby depriving the children of a play ground. Further, the main gate of the school, itself, has been converted into a 'Sita Ram Gate' and various swings etc. have been put at the main gate of the school.

Accordingly, the High Court of Allahabad passed an ex party order and observed, “In the circumstances of the case, wherein action of the respondents in permitting holding of such activities by unknown persons/purported Ram Lila Committee, is ex-facie illegal and therefore, the respondents are restrained from permitting the use of school premises for holding of the 'Ram Lila', which is indicated, is likely to start today.”

Cause Title: Shree Nagar Ram Lila Mahotsav V. State Of Uttar Pradesh And Ors, Diary No.55261/2025

Click here to read/download Order


Justice Surya KantJustice Ujjal BhuyanJustice N. Kotiswar Singh

Pridhi Chopra

    Pridhi Chopra was earlier practicing as an Advocate in Delhi. She pursued B.A. (H) English from Gargi College, University of Delhi, and subsequently pursued a degree in Law.