HC refuses to keep devotees away from Thirunallar temple

HC refuses to keep devotees away from Thirunallar temple

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:25.12.2020

The Madras high court has refused to stop the congregation of devotees in Thirunallar Sri Saneeswara Bagavan Temple during the ‘Sani peyarchi’ festival from December 2 to February 12, 2021 in view of the pandemic. Instead, Justice Anita Sumanth has directed Puducherry’s Hindu religious and charitable endowments department to ensure strict compliance of Covid-19 protocol during the festival.

The court passed the order while rejecting a plea moved by S P S Nathan, president of Parambarai Sthanigar Sangam, seeking to forebear the authorities from allowing devotees and public during the festival to prevent crowding in view of the pandemic.

When the plea came up for hearing, the department submitted that the festival will be conducted in strict compliance with restrictions.

Recording the submissions, the court said, “A decision whether or not to open the festival to the public would have to be taken very prudently and cautiously, bearing in mind the seriousness of the public health situation that we face today.” Wearing a mask properly at all times inside the temple is a must and violators must be fined. The court directed the department to organise a meeting to discuss measures to be taken for the festival.