Chennai: Plea for safe birth anniversary of Sri Ramanujacharya festival

Chennai: The Madras high court has posted to April 3, the hearing on a PIL, which sought a direction to the state government and HR & CE to provide necessary infrastructure facilities and safety measures for the smooth conduct of the 10-day festivities relating to the 1,000th birth anniversary of Sri Ramanujacharya at his birth place in Sriperumbudur, in which lakh of people are expected to attend.

The First Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice A.Selvam, posted to Tuesday, the hearing on the PIL filed by International Sri Vaishnava Ramanuja Samrajaya Sabha, after government pleader T.N. Rajagopal took notice for the state government and special government pleader M.Maharaja took notice for the HR & CE.

According to petitioner, preparations were being made across India at all Vishnu temples, mutts, religious societies etc for grand celebration of this 1,000th anniversary. It was a matter of serious concern that no arrangements have been made by the government towards preparing for the huge influx of devotees to Sriperumbudur-Sri Ramanuja’s birth place. The bathing place for the public (i.e the temple tanks) is in poor shape. 

There was no room for women to change their dresses. Various organisations would be making arrangements for distribution of food. But, there were no space allocated for the people to stay temporarily. The festival was to be celebrated during summer (April 12 to 22)  and lack of temporary shelter may well have an adverse effect especially on women, children and elderly people coming to Sriperumbudur. 

No arrangement has been made for parking vehicles. Ample fire safety equipment and medical facilities were to be kept ready and uninterrupted power supply be ensured. Therefore, the petitioner sent representations to various authorities. But, there was no response, petitioner added.