The Madras High Court has stepped into a contentious religious issue in Madurai, demanding answers from local authorities and a dargah management over plans for a festival involving animal sacrifice. The court's intervention came on Friday in response to a petition seeking to halt the 'kandoori' ritual during the upcoming Santhanakoodu festival at the Sikandar Badusha Dargah.
Court Issues Notice to Multiple Authorities
Justice M Jothiraman of the Madurai bench has officially called for a detailed response from the Madurai district administration, the city police, and the administration of the Sikandar Badusha Dargah. This legal move was triggered by a petition filed by a local devotee, M Manickamoorthy, who expressed serious concerns about the planned events.
The petitioner, who identifies as a devotee of Lord Murugan and frequents the Subramaniya Swamy temple in Thiruparankundram, brought the matter to the court's attention. He argued that the dargah management is moving forward with arrangements for the kandoori despite a previous court order restricting such practices.
History of Legal Dispute and Defiance
The core of the dispute lies in a previous ruling from the Madras High Court. In December 2024, while hearing a batch of public interest litigations, the court had clearly stated that animal sacrifice could not be permitted on the Thiruparankundram hill until the dargah management legally established the practice by approaching a civil court.
Despite this explicit order, the petitioner alleges that the dargah management has now publicly announced its intention to proceed. Notices and wall posters have been put up declaring that the kandoori will be performed as part of the Santhanakoodu festival celebrations, scheduled to run from December 12 to January 6. The petition specifically mentions that animal sacrifice and the serving of non-vegetarian food are integral parts of the kandoori ceremony, which directly contravenes the earlier court directive.
Adjournment and Awaiting Responses
Following the initial hearing, Justice Jothiraman has adjourned the case. The next hearing is now set for January 2, 2025. This gives the district administration, police, and dargah officials time to prepare and submit their formal responses to the court's queries.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between religious customs and legal interpretations in the region. The court's final decision, expected after the January hearing, will determine whether the festival can proceed with its traditional rituals or must conform to the restrictions previously laid down by the judiciary.
