The Madras High Court on Friday lamented that these days temple festivals have become mere platforms for groups to showcase their might. There is really no devotion involved in the running of these forums. The aim of the temple is to enable the devotees to worship the Lord for peace and happiness. However, unfortunately, temple festivals are promoting violence and it is only becoming a center for groups to show who is powerful in a particular area.

Justice Anand Venkatesh said, there is no devotion involved in organizing these festivals, rather it has become a display of power of one group or the other. This completely defeats the very purpose of holding the temple festival. These festivals promote violence, where different groups fight each other. It is better to close such temples to prevent these incidents. The court said, unless a person gives up his ego and goes to the temple to seek blessings, the whole purpose of having a temple is futile.

The court was hearing a petition filed by K Thangarasu alias K Thangaraj. In this, claiming to be the hereditary trustee of Arulmighu Sri Ruthara Maha Kaliamman Alayam, demanded police protection for holding the festival in the temple. It was argued that this festival is held every year during the month of Aadi and this year also it is to be held from July 23 to August 1. To ensure that no untoward incident takes place, the petitioner had sought police protection.