The Madras High Court on Tuesday issued a directive to the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department, instructing them to install boards in all Hindu temples explicitly stating that non-Hindus are restricted from entering beyond the ‘Kodimaram’ (flagpole) area within the respective shrines.
The court emphasized that Hindus also possess the fundamental right to profess and practice their religion.
Justice S Srimathy from the Madurai Bench of the High Court delivered this judgment during the hearing of a petition filed by D Senthilkumar. The petitioner sought specific instructions to allow only Hindus access to the Arulmigu Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and its sub-temples. Additionally, he requested the installation of display boards conveying this restriction at all entrances to the temples.
The famous Lord Murugan temple is located in Palani in Dindigul district. The respondents were the TN government, represented by Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments, The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) and the Executive Officer of the Palani temple. The HR&CE department administers Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu.
Admitting the petition, the court directed the respondents to install boards indicating “non-Hindus are not allowed inside temple after Kodimaram” in the entrance of the temples, near the flagpole and at prominent places in the shrine. “The respondents are directed not to allow the non-Hindus who do not believe in Hindu religion. If any Non-Hindu claims to visit particular deity in the temple, then the respondents shall obtain undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he is having faith in the deity and he would follow the customs and practices of Hindu religion and also abide by the temple customs and on such undertaking the said non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple,” the court ruled.
Further, whenever a such a person is allowed based on the undertaking the same shall be entered in the register which shall be maintained by the temple.
“The respondents shall maintain the temple premises by strictly following the agamas (temple rules), customs and practices of the temple,” the judge said. The respondents submitted the said writ petition was filed only for the Palani temple and the order may be restricted to it alone.
“But the issue raised is larger issue and the same ought to be applicable to all Hindu temples, hence the plea of the respondents is rejected. As stated supra these restrictions would ensure communal harmony among different religions and ensure peace in the society. Therefore the State Government, the HR&CE department, the respondents and all persons who are involved in temple administration are directed to follow the directions to all Hindu temples,” the court said.
The people belonging to Hindu religion have right to profess and practice the faith. “Likewise, people belonging to other religions have right to profess and practice their religion. But the customs and practice of their respective religion cannot be interfering with and any interference ought to be curtailed.
Source: https://www.news18.com/india/tamil-...rder-non-hindus-entry-restricted-8760451.html
The court emphasized that Hindus also possess the fundamental right to profess and practice their religion.
Justice S Srimathy from the Madurai Bench of the High Court delivered this judgment during the hearing of a petition filed by D Senthilkumar. The petitioner sought specific instructions to allow only Hindus access to the Arulmigu Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and its sub-temples. Additionally, he requested the installation of display boards conveying this restriction at all entrances to the temples.
The famous Lord Murugan temple is located in Palani in Dindigul district. The respondents were the TN government, represented by Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments, The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) and the Executive Officer of the Palani temple. The HR&CE department administers Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu.
Admitting the petition, the court directed the respondents to install boards indicating “non-Hindus are not allowed inside temple after Kodimaram” in the entrance of the temples, near the flagpole and at prominent places in the shrine. “The respondents are directed not to allow the non-Hindus who do not believe in Hindu religion. If any Non-Hindu claims to visit particular deity in the temple, then the respondents shall obtain undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he is having faith in the deity and he would follow the customs and practices of Hindu religion and also abide by the temple customs and on such undertaking the said non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple,” the court ruled.
Further, whenever a such a person is allowed based on the undertaking the same shall be entered in the register which shall be maintained by the temple.
“The respondents shall maintain the temple premises by strictly following the agamas (temple rules), customs and practices of the temple,” the judge said. The respondents submitted the said writ petition was filed only for the Palani temple and the order may be restricted to it alone.
“But the issue raised is larger issue and the same ought to be applicable to all Hindu temples, hence the plea of the respondents is rejected. As stated supra these restrictions would ensure communal harmony among different religions and ensure peace in the society. Therefore the State Government, the HR&CE department, the respondents and all persons who are involved in temple administration are directed to follow the directions to all Hindu temples,” the court said.
The people belonging to Hindu religion have right to profess and practice the faith. “Likewise, people belonging to other religions have right to profess and practice their religion. But the customs and practice of their respective religion cannot be interfering with and any interference ought to be curtailed.
Source: https://www.news18.com/india/tamil-...rder-non-hindus-entry-restricted-8760451.html
