In a contempt petition filed before the Madras High Court against the wilful disobedience of an order dated 03-04-2025, a Single Judge Bench of Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy noted that the Court direction stood complied with and closed the contempt petition while stating that State authorities cannot give in to superstitions and false beliefs which cannot be said to be in tune with the principles of Bhakti or Science.
The petitioner had installed idols of goddess Sivasakthi Dhakshiswari, along with Vinayagar and Veerabhadran, in his premises. The petitioner welcomed the neighbours and other devotees during his pooja ceremonies. On such an event, the authorities approached the petitioner’s premises and took away the idols.
The authorities submitted that the residents nearby were agitated after the installation of the idols, as there had been an unnatural death in the area. It was stated that the idols were removed, given the local public’s representation. Considering the circumstances, this Court, by the impugned order, held that the action of the respondent authorities was neither supported by law nor any principle of ‘Bhakti’ or ‘Science’ and that State Authorities cannot act on superstitions.
Even though, by the impugned order, the respondents were directed to hand over the idols to the petitioner, they failed to comply with the order, and hence, the present contempt petition was filed.
The respondents submitted that although superstitions should not be entertained, the petitioner was constructing a temple to install the idols, while he was only granted permission to construct a house. It was contended that poojas were conducted even at midnight, affecting the local public.
The Court noted that earlier in the day, the petitioner had been directed to visit the Tahsildar’s office to collect the idols, and that they had now been handed over to the petitioner. Regarding the construction of the temple, the Court stated that if any construction were carried out without the local authority’s permission, the local authority would have to issue a notice to the petitioner as per law.
The Court stated that any worship by the petitioner could not be in a manner that would disturb the local public and that there could not be any usage of a loudspeaker to disturb the local public. It was also stated that upon receipt of a complaint regarding disturbance to the local public, the local police can take action. The Court said that if a ‘hundi’ were kept in the temple, the HR and CE departments would have to act in accordance with the law after inspecting the temple.
However, the Court further said that if a person wants to keep an idol on his own premises and worship it peacefully by himself or with friends and neighbours, the public cannot take the law into their own hands. It was said that the State authorities cannot give in to superstitions and false beliefs.
Lastly, while closing the contempt petition, the Court said that God or an idol will never harm any human being, and that such beliefs are only superstitions that cannot be said to be in tune with the principles of Bhakti or Science.
Appearances:
For Petitioner – M/s. M. Ganesh Babu
For Respondents – Mr. N. Manoharan (Additional Government Pleader), Mr. S. Sugendran (Additional Public Prosecutor), M/s. Shaikh Mehrunnisa
