Don't bar live telecast of Ram Mandir inauguration on flimsy grounds: Supreme Court to Tamil Nadu

The Supreme Court on Monday cautioned the Tamil Nadu government against enforcing any unwarranted ban in the State on the live telecast of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration or related events [Vinoj vs Union of India and ors]..A bench of Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta observed that permission to telecast the event cannot be rejected only on grounds such as Hindus being a "minority" in certain areas. "This is a homogenous society... Do not prevent only on the ground that A or B community is there," Justice Khanna said. "What kind of reasons are given for rejection? ... How can a reason be given that Hindus are a minority at some place so you will not allow? These reasons are atrocious. If this reason has to follow then it cannot happen across the State," Justice Datta added. "Please see that no rejection is because of such reasons. That is why we have directed maintain data.. We will know how many granted and how many refused," Justice Khanna added while addressing the Tamil Nadu government's counsel..However, the Tamil Nadu government assured the top court that there was no ban on any such event, contrary to the claims made by the petitioner..The petitioner moved the Court alleging that there were instructions from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led State government to ban the live telecast of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla Temple at Ayodhya.The plea filed through advocate G Balaji added that the State has prohibited all kinds of rituals and feasts in connection with the Ayodhya event. The petitioner argued that this violates fundamental rights and would lead to a law and order issue.."A political party (DMK) comes to power and it wants government to head the religion," argued Senior Advocate Dama Sheshadri Naidu on behalf of the petitioner today. Justice Sanjiv Khanna noted that there did not seem to be any formal orders in the matter. "These are oral orders and authorities do not act on oral orders," Justice Khanna said.Meanwhile Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the Court to intervene so that a message is sent out that the "Constitution applies equally everywhere. "A message must go from the highest constitutional court that Constitution applies equally everywhere... A respected person has restricted the screening ... Some police stations have passed written orders," Mehta submitted. In response to the Court's query, Senior Advocate Naidu added that such written orders have been placed on record before the Court. "Anybody asking for permission has to be dealt with in accordance with law. Oral orders cannot be acted upon," Justice Khanna went on to observe. .Meanwhile, Additional Advocate General Amit Anand Tiwari appeared for the Tamil Nadu government told the Court that the petition was politically motivated."I appear for Tamil Nadu. There are no restrictions at all.. These are just politically motivated pleas," AAG Tiwari told the Court. "A citizen seeking protection of the Supreme Court for his fundamental rights under Article 25 and 26 can never be termed political," SG Mehta said.The Court proceeded to take the State's assurance on record and ordered it to ensure that if any applications to conduct Ram Madir inauguration-related events are rejected, the same should be by way of reasoned orders. "Mr. Tiwari says no such oral orders (to restrict Ram Mandir-related events) are there and there is no ban on live telecast of pooja, etc. on occasion of Ram Mandir Pratishta. We take this on record. We believe and trust that authorities will act in accordance with law and not oral instructions which as noted above is stated that is not issued. Authorities will examine application seeking permission for such livecast and deal with in accordance with law. If rejected, then reasons shall be given for rejection of any such requests or prayers made by documents enclosed as annexure P2," the Court ordered. .The inauguration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, which is slated to take place later today, has led to a spurt of litigation before courts as well as requests by various bar associations for the declaration of a court holiday on January 22.The ceremony, which will be presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to be attended by over 8,000 guests.Notably, it was the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict that paved the way for the construction of the Ram Mandir. In that judgment, a three-judge bench had declared that the title of the disputed site at Ayodhya vests with Bhagwan Sri Ram and had handed over the land to the Hindu parties. ."Publicity interest litigation": Bombay High Court rejects PIL by law students challenging holiday for Ram Mandir inauguration