Madras HC cites government’s ban on Ganesha Chathurthi, refuses to entertain PIL

CHENNAI: The Madras high court has refused to pass any order on public installation and celebration/rallies to mark

Ganesha Chathurthi

, saying the Tamil Nadu government has in its wisdom already prohibited such activities.


“We find that the state in its wisdom has already passed an order. Therefore, we do not suspect that the state would not prevent such issues. Accordingly, we dispose of the plea as the government will itself take steps in the matter,” said the first bench of Chief Justice A P Sahi and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on Wednesday.

“We are here to command the government. We do not have administrative powers. The state government itself will take care of such issues,” they said while hearing a PIL for action against Hindu Munnani which has said it would install 1.5 lakh idols during Ganesha Chathurthi across the state defying the government order.

The bench was disposing of a PIL filed by K Ilanchelian, a techie from Tiruvannamalai.

When the plea came up for hearing, counsel for the petitioner said the press statement made by the president of the Hindu Munnani would amount to an open threat to the state which prohibited public celebration of Ganesha Chathurthi.

To this, the bench wondered as to whether the petitioner is aware of the government order passed by the state dated August 14 banning such public celebration. “Yea I am aware of the GO. But the statement made by the organisation is an open threat to the public law and order,” the petitioner said.

Government pleader

V Jayaprakash Narayan

submitted the state has already passed a GO prohibiting such public celebration in view of Covid-19.

“Keeping the rapid spread of Covid-19 in mind, the government has instructed the public not to erect Vinayaka idols, conduct poojas in public places nor take the idols in processions on the eve of

Vinayaka Chathurthi

on September 22. Instead, people have been asked to celebrate Vinayaka Chathurthi at their homes,” the petitioner said.

However, on August 13, state president of Hindu

Munnani Kadeswara

Subramaniam issued a media statement condemning the prohibition and declared that his organization will install Vinayakar idols in 1.5 lakh places across the state defying the government order.

“All places of religious worship, including temples in Tamil Nadu remain closed from March 24. While none of the people belonging to Hindu religion has so far raised any objection, the statement made by Hindu Munnani is not only mischievous, but also dangerous,” the petitioner said.