‘What’s Divine to One May Be Nuisance to Another’: Madras HC Restricts Nama Sankeerthanam Without Approval
The petitioner complained that his neighbour was conducting Nama Sankeerthanam sessions in a residential building without permission, causing noise and public nuisance;
The Madras High Court has barred the use of a residential property in Chennai for conducting religious gatherings until requisite permission is obtained from the District Collector.
The bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh in a writ petition filed by one Prakash Ramachandran seeking action against the Global Organisation for Divinity (GOD) and one T.S. Subramanian, who were allegedly hosting Nama Sankeerthanam sessions causing public nuisance, ruled that residential premises cannot be converted into prayer halls without prior approval from the competent authority.
"What sounds to the fifth respondent as divine, is causing nuisance to the petitioner," said the judge, underscoring the friction between private religious expression and neighbourhood tranquility.
The respondents contended that their spiritual activities were protected under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, arguing that chanting God’s name brings peace to society. They also claimed to have received oral consent from neighbours and had applied to the District Collector for formal permission.
However, the high court noted that no such permission had been granted so far. “Till the permission is given by the District Collector, the fourth and fifth respondents shall not use the residential premises as a prayer hall,” the judge said, directing that if at all, any prayers are conducted, then they must be confined within the premises and should not inconvenience others.
Court particularly cautioned against allowing large gatherings that result in vehicles clogging narrow residential lanes, stating that such disruptions cannot be justified in the name of religious freedom.
Justice Venkatesh directed the local police to ensure that no unauthorized public prayer events are held and the character of the premises remains residential unless officially approved otherwise.
With this, the court disposed of the writ petition.
Case Title: Prakash Ramachandran vs. The District Collector, Chengalpattu And Others
Order Date: July 16, 2025
Bench: Justice N Anand Venkatesh