India, May 9 -- The Madras High Court said "unity cannot be forced," allowing a plea to conduct a village temple drama in Tamil Nadu's Sivagangai district, despite objections from the State over caste tensions and a dispute between rival groups over temple celebrations.

Justice S. Srimathy on Thursday observed that even human beings belonged to the "animal kingdom" and that divisions arise naturally beyond a certain point. The court held that authorities cannot prevent separate celebrations merely because communities refuse to unite.

The court was hearing a petition filed by S. Sukumar seeking directions to police and district authorities to grant permission and protection for conducting the Arulmigu Sri Pon Muniyandi Temple festival an...