Observing that religious practices are protected only as long as they do not run counter to law, public safety, public health, morality and the civic rights of others, the Madras High Court had on August 23 laid down elaborate guidelines to be followed during Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations.
Disposing of two public interest litigation petitions through a common judgement, the First Division Bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M. Sundar had ordered no idols either made of polluting materials such as Plaster of Paris or painted with “prohibited polluting chemical colours” should be installed in public places.
The judges also directed the government officials to ensure that requisite permissions from the Municipal Corporation, police, fire services personnel and the pollution control board were obtained by those wanted to instal idols of Vinayaka in public places.
Besides regulating the use of materials for temporary structures, fire service norms were indicated. The use of public address system was regulated and provision of first aid and emergency medical facilities made mandatory.
The judges recorded the regulations imposed by A.K. Viswanathan, Commissioner of Police, Chennai City. They impressed upon the need for the State government to frame regulations for the conduct of such religious events in public places.