Supreme Court Commends Tirupati’s Crowd Management as a Model for Sabarimala

During a hearing on a petition requesting measures to control crowds at Sabarimala, the Supreme Court lauded the exemplary crowd management systems in place at Tirupati, Golden Temple, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temples. The court specifically highlighted the organized and systematic management of visitors at these locations, praising the positive experience, or ‘vibe,’ felt by individuals when visiting the Golden Temple. The petitioner, KK Ramesh of Madurai, urged the implementation of mandatory registration at Sabarimala, following the models of Amarnath, along with the development of a master plan. However, the bench, comprising justices Suryakant and KV Viswanathan, declined to intervene and directed the petitioner to approach the Kerala High Court first, emphasizing the High Court’s familiarity with the situation, topography, and devotees’ sentiments at Sabarimala. Subsequently, the petitioner withdrew the plea, and the Supreme Court criticized him for filing a Public Interest Litigation without sufficient study, urging him to gain insights by visiting places like Gurudwaras and observing cleanliness practices.