Madurai
Taking into account numerous petitions filed seeking permission for ‘Aadal Paadal,’ the late night cultural event, in the name of public interest litigation petitions, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday gave directions to the Inspector Generals of Police (Central) and (South) in this regard.
A division bench of Justices M. M. Sundresh and N. Sathish Kumar directed the IGs to give instructions to the Superintendents of Police to consider such representations and pass appropriate orders with reasonable conditions. The court passed the directive so that such petitions were not filed as public interest litigation petitions, thereby consuming its time.
The High Court Bench has been witnessing a growing number of such petitions filed particularly from the southern districts. The court, at times, has denied permission for such events terming them as neither customary nor traditional. However, when permission was granted, it had imposed conditions. The HC has been directing police officials to consider such pleas and had imposed conditions for conducting such events. The police were directed to regulate the events by imposing strict time restrictions and ensure that no discrimination shall be made on the grounds of caste. Consumption of liquor or any such intoxicating substances was barred in the events.
The court had also directed that there should be no obscene or vulgar act or dialogue during the performance by any of the participants, nor should songs with double entendre be played. It restricted the use of dialogue or songs showing affiliation to any religion or political party, community or caste. Even flex boards in support of any political party were not permitted. The police were directed to take appropriate action if there were any violations of the conditions, even permitting them to stop the functions in case of violations or if they went beyond the permissible time.