Chithirai festival in Theni temple: Madras high court initiates contempt proceedings

Chennai: Making it clear that there shall be no celebration of Chithirai festival for the year 2019 by any of the person in the Arulmigu Sri Muthumariamman Thirukkovil situated at Jakkampatti Village, Aundipatti Taluk, Theni district, until further orders, the Madras high court has suo motu initiated contempt proceedings against the President, Saliyar Mahajana Sangam, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Inspector of Police, Aundipatti.

A division bench comprising Justices N.Kirubakaran and S.S.Sundar ordered notice, returnable by April 22, for the appearance of the contemnors.

The bench posed to April 22, further hearing of a petition filed by S.M.Raja, which sought a direction to the HR & CE to administer and conduct 94th year Chithirai Thiruvizha Festival for the year 2019 of Arulmigu Sri Muthumariamman Thirukkovil in Theni district and to take action against the President, Saliyar Mahajana Sangam.

 The case of the petitioner was that the temple belongs to nine communities, whereas the Saliyar Mahajana Sangam community alone was trying to conduct the festival and therefore, the petitioner has filed the present petition.

 The bench said after hearing the arguments and going through the records, this court was of the prima facie opinion that the temple has been constructed by receiving contributions from the people belonging to nine communities and therefore, one community people alone cannot have any exclusive right to conduct the festival. Hence, this court has granted an order of interim injunction restraining the President, Saliyar Mahajana Sangam from conducting 94th year Chithirai Thiruvizha festival for the year 2019 of Arulmigu Sri Muthumariamman Thirukkovil, the bench added.

The bench said when the matter was called today, an affidavit has been filed by the Fit person stating that the President of Saliyar Mahajana sangam and his community alone hoisted the flag for celebration of Chithirai festival in violation of the order of this court. The Fit  Person went to give a complaint to the Inspector of Police. However, the Fit Person was made to wait in the police station. In the meanwhile, the police gave bundobust to Saliyar Mahajana sangam community people to hoist the flag. The DSP has also been put on notice. But nothing has been done by the police. On the other hand, taking the complaint given by the Fit Person on file, they went to give bundobust for hoisting the flag by the Saliyar Mahajana Sangam community people for the celebration of the festival.”This is nothing but contempt of court’s order. Therefore, this court suo motu initiates contempt proceedings against the President, Saliyar Maajana Sangam, the DSP, Aundipatti and Inspector of police, Aundipatti”, the bench added.

The bench said taking into consideration, the urgency due to celebration of festival, this court instead of issuing four weeks notice, issues notice returnable by April 22.