Vinayaka Chaturthi: Madras high court permits installation and immersion of idols by individuals in Tamil Nadu

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Vinayaka Chaturthi: Madras high court permits installation and immersion of idols by individuals in Tamil Nadu
Sureshkumar | Aug 21, 2020, 13:18 IST
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Vinayaka idols in Madurai. Photo by K Antony Xavier
CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Friday permitted installation of Vinayaka idols and immersion of the same in water bodies to celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi by individuals.
However, the court clarified that no organisation would be permitted to organise any such celebrations and processions.
A division bench of Justice M M Sundresan and Justice R Hemalatha passed the order while observing that people cannot be prohibited from doing their religious rights, which are age-old practices.
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The bench recorded the undertaking made by right wing organisations Hindu Munnani and Shiv Sena that they would not organise any procession and would cooperate with the state.
The court passed the orders against strong objection of the government that any modification of the prohibition order would make things go out of hand and that the ban order had been issued only in view of law and order issues.

The order was passed on a batch of PILs challenging the prohibition against public celebration of Vinayaka Chaturthi in view of Covid-19.