"Why Raise Objections Now to a 100-Year-Old Ramlila?" — Supreme Court Questions Petitioner, Allows Festival to Proceed

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a significant ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court stayed an Allahabad High Court order banning the 100-year-old Ramlila festival on a school ground in Tundla, Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh. The apex court also gave the green light to the Ramlila celebrations on the condition that they do not disrupt students' academics or sports activities.

Justice Surya Kant, who headed the three-judge bench, posed sharp questions to the petitioner who filed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in this matter. Justice Kant asked, "This festival has been taking place for the past 100 years. So why did you approach the court at the last minute? Why didn't you come earlier?"

When the petitioner's lawyer said that the event was affecting studies at the school, Justice Kant again questioned, "But you are neither a student, nor a parent of a student, nor the owner of the property... then why did you file a PIL?" The court also asked why there were no complaints from students or parents.

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court had found that cement interlocking tiles were being laid on the school playground for the Ramlila event and that the school gate had been renamed "Sita Ram Dwar." The High Court, believing this could affect children's education and their right to the playground, banned the event. The Ramlila Festival Committee appealed to the Supreme Court against this High Court order.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjwal Bhuyan, and N. Kotiswar Singh, hearing the petition filed by the Ramlila Organizing Committee, said, "Since the festivities have already begun, the High Court order is stayed. The festivities will continue with the condition that there will be no disruption in children's play or sports activities." The Supreme Court also requested the High Court to hear all parties in the matter in detail.