Muthaneri Festival-Rights Dispute: Madras HC Directs Tahsildar To Consider Report, Police To Help Prevent Disorder

The petitioners sought recognition as members of Muthaneri Village, claiming that they were originally from the village, had moved elsewhere after marriage, and later returned to reside there with residential proof, including Aadhaar cards. They alleged that they were treated as outsiders and denied equal participation in village festivals, including the Porattasi Mulaipari Thiruvizha.

They filed this petition under Article 226 seeking a direction to respondents 1–4 to secure their participation on equal terms.

The petition was brought under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the High Court to issue appropriate writs and directions.

The judgment states no further statutory provisions, precedents, or substantive legal test.

It directs the competent authority to consider the report and act in accordance with law, and the police to provide necessary assistance and take appropriate action to prevent law-and-order problems.

The Court heard the petitioners’ grievance and the submissions of the Government Pleader and Government Advocate, but did not determine whether the petitioners had an established legal entitlement to village membership or festival participation.

Instead, it left the grievance for consideration by the third respondent, directing that officer to consider the report and act in accordance with law. It separately directed the fourth respondent Police to assist and take appropriate action to prevent law-and-order problems during the festivals.

It directed the third respondent to consider the report and take appropriate action in accordance with law, and the fourth respondent Police to provide necessary assistance and act to prevent law-and-order problems. The connected miscellaneous petition was closed.