The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed an order of the Allahabad High Court that had prohibited the holding of Ramleela festivities on the premises of a school in Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N Kotiswar Singh allowed the celebrations to continue, subject to the condition that no inconvenience is caused to students.
Court’s Observations
The Bench made it clear that it does not generally endorse the use of school grounds for religious functions. However, it noted the long tradition of the event in this case:
“Although we don’t approve of holding religious festivities in school grounds but this Ramleela has been going on for past 100 years and festivities for this year began on September 14,” the Court observed.
The Supreme Court stayed the paragraph in the High Court order that had barred the festivities, while issuing notice on the plea filed by Shree Nagar Ram Lila Mahtosav.
Directions to Authorities
The Court directed the Allahabad High Court to ensure that the district administration submits a proposal identifying an alternative site for future celebrations. It also asked the High Court to hear Shree Nagar Ram Lila Mahtosav along with other stakeholders on the next date of hearing.
Remarks on the PIL Petitioner
The Bench pulled up the PIL petitioner, Pradeep Singh Rana, for approaching the courts belatedly.
“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 you are parents of the students, what interest you have in stopping the festivities,” the judges remarked.
Rana argued that he moved the High Court only after construction of a concrete wall began at the site, prompting his petition for a stay.
