The Madras High Court has taken a firm stand against the recurring issue of police delays in granting permission for temple festivals, a problem that has plagued Hindus in Tamil Nadu for years. On August 4, Justice P Velmurugan delivered an order that could potentially end this practice, holding individual officers financially accountable for the consequences of their inaction.
The ruling came in response to a petition filed by N Sureshkumar of Sulur, Coimbatore, seeking police protection to celebrate the “Aadi Perunthiru Vizha” between August 5 and 12 at the Lakshmiamman temple in Paapampatti village near Sulur. As the police had not granted permission, Sureshkumar approached the court.
Justice Velmurugan stated in his order: “Devotees collecting meagre contributions for temple festivals should not be burdened with the cost of approaching courts because of the police’s failure to ensure proper protection. In future, if people are made to run from pillar to post to get appropriate permission to conduct temple festivals, the Investigating Officer who received the representation will have to bear the expenses for conducting such temple festivals.”
Devotees Collecting Meagre contributions for Temple festivals should not be Burdened with the Cost of Approaching courts Because of the Police's failure to ensure Proper Protection. In future,if people are made to run from Pillar To Post to get appropriate permission To Conduct pic.twitter.com/9gkY7Jotk1
— AdvocatePrashanth (@Advocateklp) August 5, 2025
The judge further instructed the concerned District Superintendent of Police (SP) to initiate departmental action against the officers who delay or fail to process such requests in time. He emphasised that unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles compel citizens to approach the courts for matters that should be handled administratively.
This ruling is expected to deter police officers from stalling permissions for temple car processions, public celebrations, and other Hindu religious gatherings — a recurring grievance raised by Hindu organisations in Tamil Nadu.
VHP Welcomes the Order
Welcoming the decision, Vinod Bansal, National Spokesperson of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), said on social media: “Madras High Court slapped TN Govt for its curbs on Hindu festivals. We appreciate the Madras High Court warning police officers to be liable for expenses if permission for temple festivals is delayed.”
Bansal added that anti-Sanatan elements in the state government must learn not to misuse police powers to curb Hindu festivals.
Madras High Court slapped TN Govt for its curbs on Hindu festivals..
We appreciate the Madras High Court warning police officers to be liable for expenses if permission for temple festivals is delayed."Devotees collecting meagre contributions for temple festivals should not be… pic.twitter.com/EJ9QUF8X9C
— विनोद बंसल Vinod Bansal বিনোদ বনসল వినోద్ బన్సాల్ (@vinod_bansal) August 7, 2025
History of Targeted Restrictions on Hindu Events in TN
Critics argue that the Tamil Nadu police, allegedly acting at the behest of the ruling Dravida Model government, has often denied or delayed permissions for Hindu events, forcing organisers to move the courts repeatedly.
Examples cited include:
- RSS Route Marches: Permissions are routinely denied, pushing the RSS to seek legal recourse every year.
- BJP, VHP & Hindu Munnani Events: Public meetings, protests, and cultural programs have faced arbitrary restrictions or outright bans.
- Ayodhya Ram Idol Prana Pratishta (Jan 2024): Special poojas and Anna Dhan in temples and private spaces were denied permission, later allowed only in select places with heavy restrictions after Supreme Court and High Court intervention.
- Madurai Murugan Conference (June 22, 2024): Hindu Munnani faced impractical restrictions despite a prior green signal, leading to multiple petitions and appeals.
In contrast, critics note that events organised by other religious groups or allies of the ruling party often face no such bureaucratic hurdles, even when conducted without formal permissions.
Legal experts believe that Justice Velmurugan’s ruling could mark a turning point in the fight against selective administrative delays. By holding individual officers personally accountable for festival expenses and directing disciplinary action, the court has created a mechanism that directly impacts those responsible for arbitrary denials.
Hindu organisations see this as a significant moral victory. As one activist remarked, “This is the first time the court has sent such a clear message — if the police harass devotees, they will pay for it.”
