‘Denial not a solution’: Reversing police ban, Telangana HC permits Bathukamma festival near Charminar under conditions

Bathukamma is a floral festival celebrated by the women in Telangana during monsoon that heralds the abundance that nature has to offer. The case challenged the decision of P Chandrashekar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Charminar, who had on September 11 denied permission to organise the festival in the area. The police cited concerns that the proposed venue near the Bhagyalakshmi Ammavari Temple is a “sensitive place” located in a “mixed community area.”

The police’s written submission to the court on Wednesday further warned of the potential for a large crowd to turn into a “mob” and the risk of “miscreants and anti-social elements” creating a threat to public peace and order.

In court, the petitioner’s counsel highlighted a precedent from the previous year, where a similar event was held at the same location without any untoward incident. The Assistant Government Pleader, representing the police, conceded this point, stating that no disturbances had occurred in 2024.

With the police’s position on last year’s event on record, the judge delivered a pointed order, emphasising that fundamental rights cannot be curtailed without specific and compelling reasons. “While law and order is paramount, a blanket denial of permission is not a solution when a more nuanced approach of supervision and conditions has proven effective in the past,” Justice Kumar stated.

Court sets 7 conditions

Following this observation, the court issued a detailed set of seven directives to govern the festival, ensuring a peaceful event. The festival will be limited to a window of one and a half hours, from 4 pm to 5.30 pm, on September 23, 2025. Participation is restricted to women, with a maximum of 100 attendees, it said, adding that the organisers must confirm that participants do not have any criminal records.

The court stated that any DJ sound system used must not exceed permissible decibel limits, and that no VIPs are to be invited to the celebration. Participants are also prohibited from singing songs or raising slogans that could offend the sentiments of other religious or political groups.

The police have been directed to take strict action, in accordance with the law, if any of these conditions are violated.