Supreme Court Upholds Century-Old Ram Leela Tradition in Uttar Pradesh

The Supreme Court of India has ruled in favor of continuing the century-old tradition of Ram Leela festivities in Tundla, Uttar Pradesh. On Thursday, the court dismissed a request to halt religious celebrations on school grounds, allowing the event to proceed while imposing conditions to minimize disruption for students.

In its decision, the court emphasized the long-standing nature of the Ram Leela, stating, “Although we don’t approve of holding religious festivities in school grounds, this Ram Leela has been going on for the past 100 years, and festivities for this year began on September 14.” The ruling came as part of a larger discussion regarding the appropriateness of hosting religious events in educational institutions.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N. Kotiswar Singh considered a petition that argued against holding celebrations in a state-run school. The court stayed an Allahabad High Court order that had previously prohibited such events, affirming that the festivities could continue provided they do not interfere with school activities.

The justices made it clear that any obstruction to students’ recreational activities would not be tolerated. They stated, “We allow the festivities to continue subject to the condition that no inconvenience will be caused to the students and no obstruction shall be created in their sports activities.”

During the proceedings, the petitioner, Pradeep Singh Rana, faced scrutiny for delaying his legal action until after the festivities had commenced. The bench questioned his motivations, asking, “Neither you are a student nor are you parents of the students; what interest do you have in stopping the festivities?” Rana had claimed that the construction of a concrete wall to facilitate the celebrations prompted his legal challenge.

The justices expressed that the district administration should have worked to find an alternative location for the celebrations, given the historical significance of the event. They directed the administration to conduct a hearing involving all stakeholders to address the concerns raised.

In concluding their remarks, the Supreme Court urged the Allahabad High Court to ensure that all relevant voices were heard before reaching a final decision on the matter. The bench stated, “We request the High Court to accord a hearing not only to the petitioner but also to other stakeholders as well, who might also be required to be heard before any final order is passed.”

The Ram Leela, a traditional play depicting the life of Lord Rama, has been a cultural fixture in Tundla for over a century. This ruling not only preserves the festive spirit of the community but also highlights the delicate balance between tradition and modern educational standards.