New Delhi, Sept 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court today agreed to urgently hear a plea filed by a Ramlila organizing committee challenging the Allahabad High Court’s ex-parte order restraining ongoing Ramlila celebrations at a school ground in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh.
A bench of Justice Surya Kant, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh allowed urgent listing of the matter tomorrow, following a mention by counsel for the petitioner.
The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the High Court passed the interim order without hearing the organizers.
“In a PIL, it has stayed the ongoing Ramlila… ten days we have organized it, and the order was passed day before yesterday without impleading us or hearing us, on the ground that Ramlila is being held in school grounds, interfering with school activity,” he said.
The Allahabad High Court, while entertaining the PIL, had observed that cement interlocking tiles were being laid in the school playground to convert it into a permanent venue for events like Ramlila. It also noted that the school’s main gate had been renamed ‘Sita Ram Gate’ and swings were installed, which could affect teaching and deprive children of a playground.
The state authorities defended the arrangements, arguing that Ramlila had been organized there for the past 100 years and was limited to 7-10 pm daily. They also contended that the tiles were laid to address waterlogging issues.
However, the High Court was not convinced and restrained further use of the school ground for the event, directing the state to file its response.
The Ramlila coordinator has now approached the Supreme Court.
