The Kerala High Court has directed that district police chiefs shall designate a police officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police (DSP) to maintain law and order during festivals at religious institutions within their jurisdiction. The officer must make arrangements for crowd control, including ensuring one entry point and one exit point, demarcating a passage for ambulances, and providing for the safe evacuation of the crowd in case of an emergency.
Petition Highlights Obstruction Issues
A bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar was considering a petition by A M Udayan of Thathapilly in North Paravur, Ernakulam. The petitioner challenged the blocking of main roads and public streets in connection with festival processions, which allegedly caused obstruction to ingress and egress, impeded the free movement of residents — particularly the elderly and students — and disrupted the normal course of daily life.
He further contended that rituals such as elephant parading in temples and the ‘pradakshinam' of devotees in churches are often conducted through public roads and public places, resulting in traffic obstruction for hours together. In some instances, even ambulances are unable to pass through the roads. He also pointed out that Kerala has nearly 6,000 temples and numerous churches and mosques, with the festival season in most of these religious institutions beginning in November and extending until May 31.
Court Directives for Festival Management
Considering these concerns, the High Court directed that those in charge of religious institutions or the organising committee shall inform the district police chief of all festival details at least three weeks before the festival. Upon receipt of such intimation, the district police chief shall designate a police officer to maintain law and public order during the festival. The officer shall conduct effective consultations with the organisers and the local authority officials and prepare an action plan for the hassle-free conduct of the festival.
The officer shall also ensure that adequate parking arrangements are made by the organisers and that temporary sheds by petty vendors are not constructed on footpaths. Further, the officer shall endeavour to demarcate separate areas exclusively for women and children to view the rituals and processions. The green protocol issued by the government from time to time must be strictly followed, and the designated police officer shall ensure deployment of the necessary police force, including women police officers, as required.
Post-Festival Restoration
Additionally, the High Court directed that after the conclusion of the festival, the organisers, with the assistance of the local authority, shall restore the festival premises to their original condition with proper cleaning within twenty-four hours.
