‘Can’t fault govt for Karthigai Deepam curbs’

Disposing of a public interest litigation moved by V Sakthivel, State vice-president, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in this regard, a division bench comprising Justice M Satyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha held that the restrictions coming forth owing to the apprehension of a second wave of COVID-19, especially with the outbreak of monsoon, cannot be faulted with.

Also, pointing out that the courts cannot decide on matters pertaining to religion, especially with the executive passing the buck to the court to rule on such sensitive issues, the bench held that it’s for the district administration and police to decide on such issues involving law and order and enforcement of COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures.

Senior Counsel ARL Sundaresan, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that as per the tradition, Moolavar stays at the temple while Urchavar is taken out along the Mada Veedhi, which would account for just 4 km. But now, it has been decided to take out a mini chariot with Urchavar within the temple which was against agama tradition.

The counsel appearing for the temple administration submitted that 800 devotees would be allowed every two hours into the temple from 8 am and closure time decided on the speed with which the queue moves. This facility would be available until November 28.