The Supreme Court has stayed the Allahabad High Court’s order stopping Ram Lila at a school ground in Tundla, Uttar Pradesh. The Court allowed festivities with the condition that children must continue to use the ground for play and sports.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stopped the recent order of the Allahabad High Court which had banned the performance of ‘Ram Lila’ inside a school playground at Tundla in Uttar Pradesh.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh clarified that while the festival may continue, children should not be stopped from using the ground.
The Court said,
“Since festivities have begun, para 11 of the order is stayed, the festivities shall continue [on the] condition that children shall continue to play or pursue sports activities.”
The issue began after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Allahabad High Court. The petitioner alleged that the school ground was being misused for organising the ‘Ram Lila’ by a group calling itself the Ram Lila Committee.
It was also argued that cement interlocking tiles were being fixed to turn the place into a permanent venue for the event, which would deprive children of their playground.
The Court was also told that the main school gate had been turned into a ‘Sita Ram Gate’ and various swings were being installed there.
The Ram Lila organisers defended themselves, stating that the event had been held at the same location for over 100 years and that school activities were not being disturbed because the performances took place only between 7 PM and 10 PM.
However, the Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court did not agree with this explanation.
It said,
“The attempt appears to be to convert the land of the school into a permanent place for holding activities of the nature, which are sought to be objected, which action cannot be permitted.”
On that basis, the High Court had stayed the Ram Lila activities.
This order was challenged before the Supreme Court by Shree Nagar Ram Lila Mahotsav. During the hearing, the Bench questioned the petitioner who had gone to the High Court. Justice Surya Kant asked,
“If this Ramleela is happening on this ground for last 100 years why did you approach court now? Why not in advance?”
The respondent’s lawyer argued that educational activities were being disturbed. But the Supreme Court was not satisfied with this reasoning. The Bench observed that the person who filed the case was not directly affected, stating,
“Where is the complaint by student or parents? Why not go in advance and seek alternate arrangements?”
Finally, the top court decided to stay the High Court’s order. It also reminded the High Court to hear all the concerned parties before making any final decision in the PIL.
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The Bench said,
“Let petitioners also move court for the preponement in the date of hearing.”
This order now allows the Ram Lila celebrations at the Tundla school ground to continue, but under the condition that children must not be stopped from playing or using the ground for sports.
Case Title:
SHREE NAGAR RAM LILA MAHOTSAV v. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ORS
(Diary No.55261/2025)
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