High Court · 2025

W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASDATED : 08.04.2025CORAM : THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHYW.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025and W.M.P.Nos.14670, 14671, 14683, 14685, 14686 and 14687 of 2025W.P.No.13140 of 2025:-1. S.Anbarasi2. S.Leja.. Petitioners (in W.P.No.13140 of 2025)S.Dilli Raj.. Petitioner (in W.P.No.13153 of 2025)Versus1. The Director, Information and Public Relations, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.2. The Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, Chennai Region, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.3. The Commissioner, Greater Chennai, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007... Respondents1/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025 (in both W.Ps)Prayer in both the W.Ps : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to ensure uninterrupted public access to the Annal Ambedkar Manimandapam, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai, on April 14 every year from 5.00 A.M to 10.00 P.M for the ceremonial and intellectual celebration of Babasaheb Dr.Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary and to provide one day in advance, Shamiana/Arabian tents covering all four sides of the Manimandapam, along with 1500 chairs and 100 tables for public use, and also to permit the distribution of free lunch packets, buttermilk, and other refreshments arranged by the patrons within the Manimandapam premises for the benefit of the public attending the Birth Anniversary.For Petitioner: Mr.N.G.R.Prasad, Senior Counsel, for M/s.K.Senthamizhselvi (in W.P.No.13140 of 2025): Mr.A.B.Kari Marx Siddharthar (in W.P.No.13153 of 2025)For Respondents: Mr.J.Ravindran,(in both W.Ps) Additional Advocate General, Asstd. by Mr.S.Senthil Murugan, Special Government Pleader,2/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025 for RR-1 and 2: Dr.C.E.Pratap, Government Advocate (Crl. Side), for R3COMMON ORDERThese Writ Petitions are filed for directing the respondents to ensure uninterrupted public access to the Annal Ambedkar Manimandapam, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai on 14.04.2025 from 5.00 A.M to 10.00 P.M for the ceremonial and intellectual celebration of Babasaheb Dr.Ambedkar's birth anniversary and to provide one day in advance, Shamiana/Arabian tents covering all four sides of the Manimandapam, along with 1500 chairs and 100 tables for public use and also to permit the distribution of free lunch packets, buttermilk and other refreshments arranged by the patrons within the Manimandapam for the benefit of the public attending the birth anniversary.2. Heard Mr.N.G.R.Prasad, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner 3/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025in W.P.No.13140 of 2025; Mr.A.B.Kari Marx Siddharthar, learned Counsel for the petitioner in W.P.No.13153 of 2025; Mr.J.Ravindran, learned Additional Advocate General for the respondent Nos.1 and 2 and Dr.C.E.Pratap, learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for the third respondent.3. The learned Counsels for the petitioners submit that it is not just ceremonious, but, people from all over the state come on the said date to pay their respects and also indulge in an intellectual exercise to overcome the age old barriers that are imposed on the down-trodden people and to think of as to how an egalitarian and caste less society can be brought into force in our country. The learned Counsels submit that the normal visiting hours of the Mandapam is not enough and people throng the venue from early morning onwards. Therefore, they seek a direction to be issued to the Government to keep it open from 5.00 A.M till 10.00 P.M. They also submit that the refreshments should be permitted.4/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 20254. When the matters are taken up for admission, Mr.J.Ravindran, the learned Additional Advocate General for the respondent Nos.1 and 2 would submit that the Government itself is very much interested in celebrating Dr.Ambedkar's birth anniversary and all arrangements will be made to facilitate people visiting the Manimandapam. He would submit that last year, when a similar Writ Petition was filed including the same petitioner, K.Senthamizhselvi, in W.P.No.13140 of 2025, the following facilities are volunteered by the Government and the same will be provided this year also:-"I. Ramp accessibility for Persons with Disability have already been provided.II. Arrangements have been made to erect 15 x 20 - 2 nos. and 40 x 20 size Arabian Tents in the open area within the premises on the occasion of birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar.III. Seating arrangements have been made.IV. Proper lighting available in the premises.V. Annal Ambedkar Manimandapam will be decorated with lights on the Birth Anniversary of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar.VI. Provision for Clean Drinking Water RO plant which holds the capacity of 1000 LPH have already been available in the premises. In addition to that, temporary 5/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025arrangements for drinking water tank have also been made to fulfill the need of people who visit the Manimandapam on 14.04.2024.VII. Toilets for ladies, gents and persons with Disability are available in the premises.VIII. Adequate waste bins are available in the premises."5. Over and above, the learned Additional Advocate General would submit that the Mandapam will be opened from 8.00 A.M and due arrangements will be made for the peaceful celebrations to be carried out till 6.00 P.M. 6. However, in view of the prayer made by the learned Counsels for the petitioners that people will be coming from far end of the states and they will be queuing up early in the morning, this Court directs the Government to open the premises at 7.30 A.M itself. Arrangements shall be made for visiting the Mandapam also to pay their respects. Additionally, people, who wants to stay there for longer time in the periphery area without affecting other people to visit the site and exit, can also be permitted to stay where 6/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025shamianas are provided.7. All the above directions are issued only to ensure people celebrating meaningfully and peacefully and it is for the Government to take care of the events enabling everyone and also at the same time, maintaining security and also protocols for higher officials when they visit the place to garland etc. Needless to mention that the traffic can also be taken care of by themselves.8. These Writ Petitions are disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.08.04.2025Neutral Citation: nogrsTo1. The Director,7/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025 Information and Public Relations, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.2. The Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, Chennai Region, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.3. The Commissioner, Greater Chennai, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007. D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.grs 8/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 2025W.P.Nos.13140 and 13153 of 202508.04.2025 9/9