Supreme Court Directs Tamil Nadu on Ram Mandir Ceremony Screening

In a significant turn of events, the Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Tamil Nadu government, emphasizing that requests for live screenings of Lord Ram Lalla's 'pran pratishtha' in the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple should not be dismissed solely based on the presence of other communities in the vicinity. This ruling comes in response to a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) asserting that the state had imposed a ban on such screenings.

The apex court declared that the permission for live telecast cannot be denied merely due to the coexistence of other communities in the locality. Furthermore, it urged the state to maintain a record of applications received and decisions taken, ensuring transparency in the process.

Tamil Nadu government, responding to the court, clarified that there is no prohibition on hosting screenings, special poojas, or bhajans during the ceremony. The decision follows a PIL filed by BJP's state unit secretary, Vinoj P Selvam, represented by Advocate G Balaji. The petition alleges that the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government had issued an order prohibiting the live telecast of the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony at various temples and public places.

The BJP's urgent plea to the Supreme Court highlighted concerns over religious freedom violations. The petition argued that the state's actions, including the ban on live telecasts and restrictions on religious activities like poojas, archana, and annadanam, infringed upon fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, earlier, had claimed that the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu was restricting the live streaming of the pran-pratishtha ceremony not only in temples but also in privately held events. Sitharaman underscored that over 200 temples dedicated to Lord Ram in the state were being affected by these restrictions.

However, the state refuted these claims as 'false news with ulterior motives,' expressing strong condemnation for the spread of misinformation. State officials emphasized that there were no limitations imposed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department on devotees' freedom to engage in religious activities related to Lord Ram.

As the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya Temple approaches at 12:30 pm today, the Supreme Court's directive aims to ensure that the celebrations remain inclusive and uphold the values of religious diversity in the nation.

This development unfolds against the backdrop of political assertions and denials, emphasizing the delicate balance between preserving religious practices and fostering unity in a multi-cultural society.