The Supreme Court on Wednesday (September 24, 2025) agreed to hear urgently a challenge to an Allahabad High Court order barring Ramlila celebrations at a school ground in Uttar Pradesh, bringing sharply into focus the question whether “secular” school playgrounds can host religious or ceremonial activities.

A three-Judge Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant listed the case for September 25 after a lawyer made an oral mentioning against the ex parte stay order passed by the High Court.

The High Court, according to the counsel, appearing for petitioner, the Coordinator of Shree Nagar Ram Lila Mahotsav, had concluded in a September 22 order that the Ramlila festivities would “interfere” with the school activities. The stay was based on a public interest petition and affected the ongoing prep

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