“Temple Festivals Are Expressions Of A Community's Joy”: Kerala High Court Remarks In Plea Over Alleged Disruptions During 2024 Thrissur Pooram

The Kerala High Court bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Viju Abraham has remarked that while worship of deities may be an individual's religious or spiritual need, temple festivals are the expression of a community's joy.The Court was hearing the state's submissions regarding it's investigation into the alleged disruptions caused during last year's Thrissur Pooram.“The worship that takes place in the sanctum sanctorum and within the temple premises is important; so are the festivals and occasional processions that involve the direct participation of the entire community. They complement each other. While the worship of deity in the sanctum sanctorum might be an individual's spiritual or religious need; the festivals are the expression of a community's joy, exuberance, devotion and pride and are also an idiom of a community's cohesiveness,” the Bench said.The State through its Attorney submitted that the investigation into the alleged disruptions during the Thrissur Pooram will be completed within 3 months. This submission was made in the case filed by certain devotees seeking investigation into these alleged disruptions. A three-tiered probe ordered by the State Cabinet is currently going on.The present petition arose from the widespread allegation that there were interruptions in the conduct of 2024 pooram due to police highhandedness and disrespect towards pooram traditions. The Thiruvambady Devaswom has filed a statement before the Court saying that there was unwarranted interference from the side of police.The three-tier investigation is lead by DGP, the head of Crime Branch and ADGP. As per reports, DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb has concluded after his investigation that the interruptions in pooram was due to high-handedness of the police. It is also reported that ADGP Manoj Abraham who examined coordination failures and responsibilities of various other departments during the festival has submitted a first report stating that there was no failure from other departments. The investigation by Crime Branch is done through a Special Investigation Team headed by the Additional District General of Police (Crime Branch), Sri H. Venkatesh, IPS.The State has submitted before the Court that they had convened joint meetings to formulate a comprehensive scheme/ guidelines/ standard operative procedure for the proper conduct of Thrissur pooram in future.The Court while disposing the petitions gave direction to the police and Thrissur Collector for the proper conduct of Thrissur Pooram 2025 scheduled to be held on 6th and 7th May. The State Police Chief and Thrissur City District Police Chief is directed to ensure proper crowd management during the festivities. The District Police Chief is entrusted with posting experience police personnel to supervise crowd at important locations.The District Collector is directed to coordinate the activities of Thrissur Municipal Corporation to ensure proper and timely waste disposal.Case No: WP(C) 16440 of 2024 & Connected casesCase Title: P. Sudhakaran v State of Kerala and Others & Connected casesCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 245Click Here To Read/ Download Order

“Temple Festivals Are Expressions Of A Community's Joy”: Kerala High Court Remarks In Plea Over Alleged Disruptions During 2024 Thrissur Pooram

Manju Elsa Isac

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