Home News Joseph Vijay’s Govt Places Curbs On Vinayagar Chaturthi Celebrations: Idols Seized, Permissions...

Joseph Vijay’s Govt Places Curbs On Vinayagar Chaturthi Celebrations: Idols Seized, Permissions Denied

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The Commune
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Hindus Once Again Face Police Curbs, Idol Seizure And Permission Hurdles For Vinayagar Chaturthi

For Hindus in Tamil Nadu, obtaining permission from the government and police to conduct Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations has remained a recurring concern under successive Dravidian governments. This year, too, several incidents have caused Hindus and Hindu organisations to raise objections over restrictions, police action and conditions imposed on celebrations.

As reported in Organiser, in Tirunelveli district, Hindu organisations raised concerns after police seized Vinayagar murtis intended for Chaturthi celebrations and temporarily kept them at the Devarkulam police station. Hindu Munnani alleged that the murtis were subsequently found in an unsafe and damaged condition, including in an area described as a garbage heap behind the station.

The incident involved Police Sub-Inspectors Luke Hasan and Abraham Joseph of the Devarkulam police station. Hindu Munnani demanded action against the officers, describing the handling of the murtis as disrespectful to Hindu deities. The organisation also objected to the circumstances under which the seizure was carried out.

The police, however, said the action was taken in accordance with the law because the murtis were made using Plaster of Paris (PoP). Police sources said 75 completed Vinayaka murtis were seized from the Karuppasamy Temple at South Poolangulam, along with 17 incomplete murtis, eight bags of PoP powder and moulds.

According to the police version, the seized murtis were initially kept in an open area at the station and covered with tarpaulins. The 17 incomplete murtis remained uncovered. A video showing the murtis being kept in the open was subsequently circulated on social media, triggering outrage among Hindu groups.

The police later covered all the murtis with tarpaulins, citing their status as case property, and subsequently shifted them to another location for safe custody. Public access to the seized murtis was also restricted.

Hindu Munnani functionary Brahmanayagam said the organisation would not participate in peace meetings or other official meetings until action was taken over the incident. The organisation also said it would not approach the authorities for permission to install murtis and would leave the matter to the government.

The issue has once again indicated over the repetitive constrictive manner in which permissions and restrictions are applied to Hindu festivals.

Restrictions On Women And Children 

In Virudhunagar, Hindus and Hindu organisations objected to conditions reportedly communicated by the police at a meeting concerning Vinayagar Chaturthi processions. Among the conditions was a restriction preventing women and children from participating in processions.

Hindu organisations questioned the rationale behind imposing such restrictions on devotees, particularly when Vinayagar Chaturthi processions are religious events in which entire families traditionally participate.

The issue of permissions also reached the Madras High Court. On September 10, while disposing of a petition filed by S. Anbumani, a Hindu Munnani Tiruppur District Executive Committee member, the court directed the Tiruppur police to grant permission for installation of a Vinayaka murti at the identified location. The court observed that worship is a fundamental right.

Hindu organisations have argued that devotees should not be forced to approach courts every year merely to obtain permission for traditional religious celebrations. They have pointed to earlier observations of the High Court and Supreme Court that authorities should facilitate such celebrations rather than make permissions unnecessarily difficult.

Objections have also been placed on the practice of citing the presence of mosques, churches or minority-dominated residential areas as grounds for restricting Hindu religious processions. The religious identity of a locality should not by itself become a reason to deny Hindus permission to conduct lawful celebrations.

Chennai Police Issue 13 Guidelines

In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Police issued 13 guidelines for Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations following a meeting attended by Commissioner of Police Amal Das and senior police officials.

The guidelines prescribe a maximum height of 10 feet for Vinayaka murtis and prohibit their installation near places of worship, hospitals and schools. Organisers have also been barred from using slogans that could lead to communal disharmony.

Political and religious banners have been prohibited at the celebration venues, while organisers have been directed to deploy two volunteers at every pandal for security arrangements.

The police have also imposed specific conditions on immersion processions. Murtis can be taken for immersion only through approved routes, in authorised vehicles and on permitted days. The use of crackers at pandals, during processions and at immersion points has been prohibited.

Organisers have additionally been instructed not to display banners supporting political parties or religious leaders. Immersion ceremonies are required to be conducted peacefully and in accordance with court and government orders.

Representatives of the BJP, VHP, Hindu Munnani, Hindu Makkal Katchi, Shiv Sena, Hindu Hanuman Sena and Bharath Hindu Munnani participated in the meeting with the police.

While the authorities have cited safety, environmental and law-and-order considerations for the restrictions, it is very clear that rules are being applied unfairly on Hindu festivals and this time it seems that once again the exercise of a fundamental religious practice is going to turn into an annual struggle for permission.

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