SC directs Tamil Nadu to allow live streaming of Ram Lalla's 'Pran Pratishtha' in temples

The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Tamil Nadu government regarding the live streaming of Lord Ram Lalla's 'Pran Pratishtha' in the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. This move comes in response to a PIL asserting that the state had allegedly imposed a ban on the live telecast of the consecration ceremony. The court emphasized that the rejection of permission should not be solely based on the presence of other communities in the vicinity. Additionally, the court instructed the state to maintain a record of received applications and decisions made.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) urgently approached the Supreme Court, seeking a hearing against the Tamil Nadu government's alleged ban on the live telecast of Lord Ram Lalla's 'Pran Pratishtha.' The petition, filed by BJP's state unit secretary Vinoj P Selvam and represented by Advocate G Balaji, accused the DMK-led state government of prohibiting the live telecast across all temples in Tamil Nadu.

The bench took on record the statement of senior advocate Amit Anand Tiwari for Tamil Nadu that there are no restrictions on 'puja archana' in temples or live telecast of consecration ceremony at Ayodhya.


He said the plea is "politically motivated".

The bench asked the authorities to put on record the reasons and maintain the data of applications which has been allowed for 'Puja archana' and live telecast of consecration ceremony in temples and those which have been disallowed.

The bench also sought response of the Tamil Nadu government on the plea by January 29. The plea has been filed by one Vinoj in which it has been submitted that the Tamil Nadu government run by the DMK has banned live telecast of the "pran prathishta" of Lord Ram at Ayodhya in all temples across Tamil Nadu.

It is being alleged that the government has also banned all kinds of prayers, and 'annadanam' (poor feeding) 'bhajans' on the occasion.

"It is respectfully submitted that the State Government run by DMK political party has banned live telecast of the auspicious occasion of 'Pran Pratishtha' of Lord Ram at Ayodhya in all the temples across the state of Tamil Nadu," as stated in the plea.

In response to the allegations, the Tamil Nadu government informed the court that there is no ban on holding screenings of the ceremony or conducting special poojas or bhajans on this occasion.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had raised concerns on Sunday, claiming that the MK Stalin-led state government had banned live streaming of the pran-pratishtha ceremony in over 200 temples dedicated to Lord Ram. Sitharaman alleged that even privately held temples were facing restrictions, with police preventing events and threatening organizers.

“Tamil Nadu government has banned watching live telecast of Ayodha Ram Mandir programmes of January 22. In Tamil Nadu there are over 200 temples for Shri Ram. In HR and CE managed temples no puja, bhajan, prasadam or annadanam in the name of Shri Ram is allowed. Police are stopping privately held temples also from organizing events. They are threatening organizers that they will rip off pandals," stated Sitharaman.


The state, however, denied these allegations, dismissing them as 'false news with ulterior motives.' The state minister emphasized that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department had not imposed any limitations on devotees' freedom to offer food, conduct poojas, or provide prasad in the name of Shri Ram in Tamil Nadu temples.

The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya Temple is scheduled for 12:30 pm today. The ceremony will witness the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saints, and various distinguished guests. The Supreme Court's directive aims to ensure that the live streaming of this historic ritual is not summarily rejected, emphasizing the need to maintain a transparent record of decisions made by the state.