At Kulasekarapattinam Dussehra enforcement failures raise concern in Madras High Court

At Kulasekarapattinam Dussehra, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has flagged serious lapses in the enforcement of court directions aimed at preventing obscene performances during the annual Dussehra celebrations at the Mutharamman temple in Thoothukudi district. The court’s observations came while examining whether long-standing guidelines meant to preserve the spiritual nature of the festival were being followed in practice.

The issue arose from a petition filed by a local advocate who sought strict implementation of previous court orders and police guidelines during the 2025 Dussehra festival, which was held between September 23 and October 3. The petitioner alleged that certain organisers continued to conduct inappropriate cultural programmes for commercial gain, damaging the religious and cultural significance of the festival.

The High Court noted that despite repeated directions over the years, including clear instructions issued by the Director General of Police, district-level authorities had shown reluctance in enforcing the rules consistently. The judges expressed concern that such inaction was allowing objectionable content to reappear during a festival rooted in devotion and tradition.

At Kulasekarapattinam Dussehra oversight questioned despite monitoring mechanism

To ensure compliance, the court had earlier directed the formation of a monitoring committee for At Kulasekarapattinam Dussehra celebrations. This committee was required to include representatives from the revenue department, local police, the temple administration, and members of the public representing different age groups and gender. Its role was to attend all cultural programmes during the festival and ensure adherence to prescribed guidelines.

The committee later submitted a report stating that no violations had taken place and that the events maintained proper decorum. However, this claim was challenged by the petitioner, who submitted video evidence showing performances that were alleged to be inappropriate and contrary to the spiritual ethos of the festival.

After reviewing the footage, the judges observed that the content displayed did not align with the religious nature of Dussehra celebrations. The court noted that similar issues had been addressed in earlier rulings passed in 2017 and 2022, followed by comprehensive guidelines issued in 2023. The recurrence of such performances, despite these measures, raised doubts about the seriousness of enforcement at the local level.

The court also took note of explanations offered by temple authorities, who stated that some of the performances shown in the footage occurred outside the immediate temple premises. The judges, however, were not satisfied with this response, observing that such technical distinctions could not be used to bypass the spirit of the court’s orders.

At Kulasekarapattinam Dussehra traditions face risk from weak enforcement

The High Court emphasised that At Kulasekarapattinam Dussehra is not merely a public gathering but a deeply rooted religious event that attracts devotees from across the region. Any deviation from its traditional and spiritual framework, the court noted, risks altering public perception and diminishing the sanctity of the festival.

The judges indicated that authorities have a duty not only to issue rules but also to actively enforce them. Failure to do so, they observed, sends a message that court orders can be ignored without consequence. The court’s remarks suggest that stronger accountability mechanisms may be required to ensure compliance in future festivals.

The matter has highlighted a broader concern regarding the regulation of cultural programmes during religious events, particularly when commercial interests overshadow traditional values. The court made it clear that maintaining discipline and decorum during such festivals is essential to protect cultural heritage and public morality. Also Read: Minister S Regupathy Signals Political Confidence Ahead of Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls in 2026

Conclusion

The Madras High Court’s observations serve as a clear reminder that At Kulasekarapattinam Dussehra, enforcement of guidelines is as important as their existence. With repeated violations coming to light, the focus has now shifted to holding authorities accountable and ensuring that future celebrations reflect the spiritual purpose for which the festival is observed.