Today., the division bench of the Kerala High Court comprising, Chief Justice A.J. Desai and Justice V.G. Arun directs Secretary, Department of Woman and Child Development of the State to file complete report of the steps to prevent children from participating ritualistic dance "Thee Chamundi Theyyam''

Earlier, the Court passed the landmark ruling after considering the petition challenging the involvement of children in this traditional dance form prevalent in the northern Malabar districts of Kerala. The PIL argued that children selected to perform in Thee Chamundi Theyyam were subjected to extreme danger and physical harm, compromising their fundamental right to life and safety.

The ritualistic dance, Theyyam, holds immense cultural significance in the region, and Thee Chamundi Theyyam is one of its prominent variations. However, it involves the perilous act of throwing children into fire embers a minimum of 101 times. The Dhisha Foundation vehemently contended that such practices violated constitutional guarantees and international covenants protecting children's rights.

The urgency of this matter was highlighted when the PIL cited the distressing case of a 14-year-old child who participated in a Thee Chamundi Theyyam organized by the Chirakkal Kovilakam and Chirakkal Temple Trust as part of their annual function. The petition drew attention to the high-risk nature of the dance, where accidents and mishaps during performances are common occurrences. Shockingly, the temple authorities failed to provide any healthcare assistance, even in emergencies, leaving the young performers vulnerable.

The Dhisha Foundation had previously approached the relevant authorities, including the Central and State governments, through representations, but received no response. Therefore, they resorted to the Kerala High Court, seeking a complete prohibition on children's participation in the Thee Chamundi Theyyam dance. They also demanded a declaration recognizing this practice as a violation of children's fundamental rights.