Obscene songs and objectionable dance performances on stage during temple festivals had led to the police to stop issuing permission to such programmes with immediate effect, said Superintendent of Police M. Manohar here on Tuesday.
Following complaints from villagers of Palamedu that some youngsters indulged in eve-teasing in an inebriated condition during a temple festival, the police visited the place and averted a clash. A case was registered in this connection, police said.
In some other locations in Madurai Rural district limits, when women were carrying ‘mulaipaari' as part of the Panguni festival, trouble arose when some youth indulged in teasing by playing obscene songs near the temple. Considering these issues, all station house officers had been instructed to ensure that celebrations at temples were conducted as per rituals.
Mr. Manohar said that from time immemorial only elders used to conduct temple festivals, be it in rural or urban areas. However, under the pretext of celebrations, many youngsters appeared to be indulging in activities that were offensive to the public. Though youngsters taking active role in temple festivals was welcome, public objected to playing obscene songs at the festivals. Last week, there were complaints when artistes staged a dance performance in an objectionable manner, a police release stated.
In the larger public interest, it had been decided not to accord police permission to playing songs (obscene) and staging dance performance in temple festivals. “We will take stringent action against organisers who conducted events without seeking permission from the police,” the SP warned.
Police officers in Madurai Rural district said that the timely presence of large posse of police averted a clash between two groups of youths who were in an inebriated condition at a temple festival near Melakkal recently. Many youths attempted to settle scores with rival groups through temple festivals.
