No ‘obscene acts’: Madras High Court rider for Karur New Year cultural festivities

The Madras High Court allowed the residents of a village in Karur district in the state to organise sporting events and an “Aadalum Paadalum” cultural programme on January 1, 2026.

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has allowed the residents of a village in Karur district in the state to organise sporting events and an “Aadalum Paadalum” cultural programme on January 1, 2026, on the condition that the festivities do not include any obscene acts and cause a law and order issue.

The petitioner, Shanmugapandiyan, who hails from Gandhi Gramam North, Pasupathipalayam in Karur district, moved the high court to direct the police authorities to grant permission to conduct the event on New Year’s day, at EB colony in the area. The organisers of the event had made a representation to the police on December 20.

While directing the police authorities, including the district police superintendent, to consider the representation and pass appropriate order on or before December 31, Justice M Jothiraman said, “The petitioner shall also ensure that no law and order problem is created during the cultural programme and that no obscene acts are permitted.”

If necessary, the court said, the respondent police would provide adequate protection for the sporting event and cultural programme scheduled to take place between 7 am and 9.30 pm on January 1, 2026.

Advocate R Alagumani, who represents the petitioner argued that his client made a representation to the respondents on December 20, but the same was not considered.

The petitioner agreed to undertake that the event would be conducted in a peaceful manner and “no obscene acts” would be permitted during the cultural programme.

Additional public prosecutor T Senthil Kumar, on the other hand, submitted that the petitioner’s representation was under consideration. He further submitted that the respondents had no objection, given that the petitioner undertook to conduct the programme without causing any law and order issues.

In Tamil Nadu, temple festivals are held in various places, starting from the first month of the Tamil year, Chithirai. In these festivals, not only chariot races but also various artistic performances are held. Among these, dance and song performances are one of the most popular events.

During these festive seasons, groups that perform various shows, including dance and song, also earn a lot of money. At the same time, the Supreme Court last year strongly condemned the “obscene dance” performances during the such shows. It also issued an order that the show should be held only after obtaining permission from the local police station.