The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed an Allahabad High Court order and granted permission for the Ramlila celebration to continue at the Firozabad school ground. The top court, however, directed authorities to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the students.
The high court had earlier ordered to stop the celebrations at the Zila Parishad Vidyalaya ground after hearing a public interest litigation which alleged that the students were not able to use their playground because of the Ramlila celebrations.
The organiser of the festival approached the apex court, claiming that the high court passed the order without hearing them.
A bench of Justice Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N. Kotiswar Singh said the court was not approving the use of the school ground for other activities.
However, since the festivities have already started, the court allowed them to continue, subject to the condition that no inconvenience is caused to the students.
Noting that the said ground has been used for festivities for the last 100 years, the court asked why the petitioner didn’t request the administration in advance to make alternate arrangements.
"What happened that you suddenly went to the High Court? If this Ramlila has been taking place since last 100 yrs...you have also admitted...what prevented you from going in advance and asking the administration to make arrangements? You're not the student or parent of student...you are not owner of property...you could file PIL but what prevented you.." Justice Kant asked, reported Live Law.
The bench further asked the high court to direct the district administration to resolve the issue by identifying some alternate sites for the Ramlila celebrations.