New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Madras High Court's order prohibiting animal sacrifice and granting Muslim devotees limited rights to prayers on the Thiruparankundram hills of Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale described the October 2025 High Court ruling as balanced and declined to interfere with it while hearing a petition that claimed the order infringed upon the fundamental right to freedom of religion.

During the hearing, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, argued that there had never been a law and order issue in the area. The bench responded that a peace committee meeting would not have been convened in the absence of such concerns.

“It seems to be a very balanced order...We do not propose to interfere with the order. Without expressing any opinion on the rights of the parties, the impugned order stands upheld,” the bench said.

The Madras High Court had earlier permitted prayers and religious gatherings at the Nellithoppu area during Bakrid and Ramzan, subject to the condition that they did not disturb the traditional pathways of the Subramaniya Swamy temple.

However, it had made clear that animal sacrifice, cooking and the carrying or serving of non-vegetarian food would not be allowed until a competent civil court takes a final decision on the issue.
 

PTI