The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed police to arrest anyone found engaging in indecent acts during the Kallazhagar’s ceremonial entry into the Vaigai river in Madurai, a key event of the Chithirai festival.
The order followed a petition by advocate Sundaravadivel, who said that during the 2025 event, some individuals allegedly threw footwear into the crowd of devotees, triggering commotion. The petitioner argued that such acts insult devotees, including those dressed as deities to fulfil vows, and could create a negative impression among visitors from other districts and abroad.
During the hearing, the government side informed the court that around 3,000 police personnel have been deployed for festival security, with surveillance cameras and monitoring towers in place, and that action would be taken against those involved in indecent behaviour.
Justice L. Victoria Gowri observed that such conduct is condemnable and instructed the Police Commissioner to monitor and arrest those who throw footwear or commit similar acts during the river-entry ceremony. The court also ordered the deployment of commando police for security duties along a 7-km stretch from the river-entry point into the city, and directed that 10 commando vehicles be stationed on the riverbank.
