The Kerala High Court, while hearing a series of petitions linked to the alleged disruptions during the 2024 Thrissur Pooram festival, made a key observation about the cultural significance of temple celebrations.
“While the worship of the deity in the sanctum sanctorum might be an individual’s spiritual or religious need, the festivals are the expression of a community’s joy, exuberance, devotion and pride,” the Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Viju Abraham remarked.
The case revolved around complaints of interference by the police in traditional rituals during the Pooram, including incidents of alleged highhandedness. Petitioners, all devotees of Sree Vadakkumnathan Devaswom, claimed that the police disrupted centuries-old customs, infringing on their religious freedoms.
A three-tier investigation was ordered by the State Cabinet, led by the DGP, ADGP (Law & Order), and the Crime Branch. DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb concluded that the disruptions were due to police highhandedness. ADGP Manoj Abraham, who examined coordination issues, submitted that other departments did not fail in their duties. The Crime Branch’s investigation continues under the supervision of ADGP H. Venkatesh.
Read also: Kerala High Court Petition Challenges Installation of RSS Flags and Activities at Kollam Temple
“The State shall ensure that the enquiry reaches a logical conclusion within three months,” the Court directed, without entering into the merits of the case at this stage.
The Court acknowledged that all three Devaswoms—Cochin, Thiruvambady, and Paramekkavu—have pledged to conduct the 2025 festival on 6th and 7th May strictly as per tradition. The judges emphasized that future planning must include clear standard operating procedures to avoid such incidents.
“Temples represent a community’s pride, identity, and unity,” the Court noted, underlining the role of religious institutions as social anchors.
To manage the 2025 Pooram, the Court issued detailed directives:
- The District Police Chief must ensure experienced officers handle crowd control.
- The District Collector must coordinate waste disposal and logistics.
- Volunteer lists from Devaswoms must be submitted by 25th April 2025.
- The Police Chief must closely monitor the law-and-order situation.
The Court disposed of the writ petitions, reserving the right of petitioners to challenge future state actions if necessary.
Case No: WP(C) 16440 of 2024 & Connected cases
Case Title: P. Sudhakaran v State of Kerala and Others & Connected cases
