The Supreme Court of India on Thursday dismissed a request to ban the use of school grounds for religious festivities. However, the apex court allowed the continuation of a “Ram Leela” event that has been organized for over a century in Uttar Pradesh’s Tundla.
The bench, while delivering its verdict, stated, “Although we don’t approve of holding religious festivities in school grounds, this Ramleela has been going on for the past 100 years, and festivities for this year began on September 14,” as reported by news agency PTI.
The petition contested the holding of religious celebrations at state-run schools. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N. Kotiswar Singh stayed the Allahabad High Court order that barred celebrations on a state-run school ground. They allowed the event to continue, provided it caused no inconvenience to students, according to PTI.
Staying the relevant portion of the high court’s September 22 order, the bench permitted the festivities to proceed “subject to the condition that no inconvenience will be caused to the students and no obstruction shall be created in their sports activities.”
The bench also criticized the petitioner, Pradeep Singh Rana, for filing the case only after the festivities had already begun on September 14. The court remarked, “This Ramleela has been going on for 100 years, and you also accept this fact. Then what prevented you from moving the courts in advance and stopping the festivities? Neither you are a student nor are you parents of the students; what interest do you have in stopping the festivities?” as cited by PTI.
Rana responded that he approached the high court only after the construction of a concrete wall had started on the grounds. In reply, the bench observed that considering the festival’s long history, the high court should have directed the district administration to find an alternative suitable site for the event.
Consequently, the Supreme Court directed the district administration to conduct a proposal hearing involving all stakeholders before issuing any final directions. The bench also requested the High Court to “accord a hearing not only to the petitioner but also to other stakeholders as well, who might need to be heard before any final order is passed,” as reported by PTI.
The petitioner had alleged that the school playground was being used for Ram Leela between 7 pm and 10 pm, preventing students from utilizing the ground for their recreational activities.
(With inputs from PTI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/supreme-court-allows-100-year-old-ram-leela-in-uttar-pradesh-23595795
