Madras HC Allows Madurai Kabaddi Tournament; Imposes Strict Conditions

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has approved a kabaddi tournament at Madhaikalam village in Madurai district after imposing a series of conditions to safeguard public order.

Justice L Victoria Gowri permitted the organisers to stage the competition on August 29 and 30, with activities scheduled between 6 AM and 10 PM.

The court passed the order on a petition submitted by Mukesh of Sholavandan, who requested permission and police protection for the tournament at Madhaikalam in Sangankottai village.

Mukesh approached the court after the police rejected his request to conduct the sporting event.

The organisers must ensure that players and other participants do not consume alcohol or narcotic substances during the competition.

The court has prohibited people facing pending criminal proceedings from participating in the tournament.

The organisers must prevent anyone at the venue from raising slogans in favour of or against political parties, political leaders, castes, communities or religions.

The court has directed participants to avoid wearing clothes featuring objectionable or provocative messages or images involving political or religious personalities.

Organisers must ensure that the tournament venue does not play songs praising religious figures if those songs could offend religious sentiments.

The order further prevents organisers from putting up flex boards, banners or hoardings that promote or refer to particular communities or leaders.

These restrictions seek to keep the sporting event separate from political, caste-based, communal and religious activities. They must work with the police and take necessary measures to prevent confrontations, provocative behaviour and other incidents that could disturb public peace.

Police officials can closely monitor the tournament and immediately intervene whenever organisers or participants violate the court’s conditions.

The police can terminate the tournament if they determine that continuing the event could threaten public order or communal harmony.