Justice V Lakshminarayanan ruled that roads and streets have no religious character, and encroachments on public spaces won’t be tolerated, regardless of the structure’s nature. The shrine, established in 1995, was deemed an encroachment on “Sarkar Poramboke” land, obstructing pedestrian movement and the petitioner’s house entrance. ¹

[25/01, 08:42] Sekarreporter: Roads have no religious character: Madras High Court orders action against Christian shrine set up on pavement | https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/roads-have-no-religious-character-madras-high-court-orders-action-against-christian-shrine-set-up-on-pavement
[25/01, 08:42] Meta AI: The Madras High Court has directed the Greater Chennai Corporation to take action against a Christian shrine, dedicated to Mother Velankanni, set up on a public road in Chennai. Justice V Lakshminarayanan ruled that roads and streets have no religious character, and encroachments on public spaces won’t be tolerated, regardless of the structure’s nature. The shrine, established in 1995, was deemed an encroachment on “Sarkar Poramboke” land, obstructing pedestrian movement and the petitioner’s house entrance. ¹

This decision aligns with previous rulings emphasizing that public spaces can’t be reserved for one religion. The court has been firm in upholding the principle that public interest and rule of law must be safeguarded, even if it means removing structures deemed sacred by some. ² ³

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