Supreme Court Stays Allahabad HC Order Halting Ramlila Celebrations At Firozabad School Ground

The Supreme Court today stayed an order of the Allahabad High Court which stopped the ongoing Ramlila celebrations at a school ground in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Having regard to the fact that the festivities have already started, the Court allowed the Ramlila celebration to continue at the playground of Zila Parishad Vidyalaya, Tundla, Firozabad, subject to the condition that no inconvenience should be caused to the students.

Considering the fact that the said ground has been used for the festivities for about 100 years, the Court requested the High Court to impress upon the District Administration to resolve the issue by identifying some alternate site for the Ramlila Celebrations so that playground of the school can be exclusively used by the students. The Court said that all stakeholders be heard before taking a decision. 

With these observations, the Court disposed of the Special Leave Petition filed by 'Shree Nagar Ramlila Mahotsav'.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh heard the matter. The High Court passed the order in a petition filed by a petitioner, who contended that because of the Ramlila celebrations, students are not able to use the ground.

The organiser of the festival, in the Supreme Court, contended that they were neither added as a party in the petition in the High Court nor were heard before the passing of the stay order.

During the hearing, the bench asked the party, who filed the petition in the High Court, why they challenged the conduct of the festival if it had been going on at the same place for the past several years.

"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.

Justice Kant also said that the Court was not approving the use of the school ground. 

Briefly put, the High Court passed the impugned order in a PIL which alleged that cement interlocking titles had been fixed in the school playground for converting it into a permanent place for holding events like Ramlila. Further, the main gate of the school had been converted into a 'Sita Ram Gate' and various swings etc. had been put at the main gate of the school.

The PIL petitioner claimed that teaching activities would be badly affected during the 18 days when 'Ram Lila' was to be performed. Further, children would be deprived of a play ground.

Per contra, the state authorities submitted that the interlocking tiles were fixed as there was waterlogging in the school ground. The holding of Ramlila was sought to be justified on the ground that it had been taking place since last 100 years and would be restricted to the time between 7-10 pm. But the High Court was not convinced.

"From the instructions produce, it is not known as to who is organizing the 'Ram Lila', and who has granted permission for the holding of the 'Ram Lila' within the school premises, though admittedly the land in question is recorded in the name of Zila Parishadiya Vidhyalaya, Tundla. Further, despite setting up of such huge stage etc. in the play ground, the claim made that the teaching activities are not getting affected, is apparently on its face contrary to the fact situation", the High Court observed.

It further opined that there seemed to be an attempt to convert the school ground into a permanent place for holding activities like Ramlila, which was not permissible. Calling for the state authorities' counter-affidavit, the High Court restrained the use of the school ground for Ramlila activities. Aggrieved, the petitioner-Coordinator approached the Supreme Court.

Case Title: SHREE NAGAR RAM LILA MAHOTSAV v. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND ORS, Diary No.55261/2025

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