Madras HC dismisses plea for facilities and safety measures during Chithirai festival in Madurai

Madurai: Madras high court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the authorities to provide facilities and ensure the safety of devotees during the Chithirai festival in Madurai.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by an advocate, T Ramamoorthi. The petitioner stated that lakhs of people would visit Madurai city to witness the annual Chithirai festival. He stated that proper arrangements such as drinking water, toilets, and medical facilities should be made available to the people.

He also stated that the authorities should take steps to manage the crowd and ensure the safety of the devotees. During the festival, several people would be serving food as annadhanam to the devotees. The authorities should ensure that the food provided during annadhanam is hygienic. The Tasmac and recreation clubs in the district should be closed during the festival days.

He stated that he submitted a representation in this regard to the authorities; however, the same is yet to be considered. Hence, the petitioner moved court.

A division bench of justice J Nisha Banu and justice S Srimathy observed that the petition appears to be vexatious and therefore dismissed the petition.