Tamil Nadu News: The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department was ordered by the Madras High Court on Tuesday to erect signs informing non-Hindus that they are not allowed to enter beyond the “Kodimaram” (flagpole) area of all Hindu temples.
Non-Hindu Incursions for Non-Religious Purposes
S Srimathy, of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, noted instances in which non-Hindus went into temples for non-religious reasons and stated, “A temple is not a picnic or tourist spot.” The ruling highlighted the Hindu community’s inalienable right to unhindered religious exercise.
The ruling was made in response to an appeal submitted by D Senthilkumar, who asked to be granted access to the Arulmigu Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and its subsidiary temples in Palani, Dindigul district, solely for Hindus.
Court Directs Signs Restricting Non-Hindu Entry
The court ordered signs stating that non-Hindus are not allowed past the “Kodimaram” to be placed at temple gates, next to the flagpole, and in other conspicuous locations. It further stipulated that a non-Hindu must present an assurance confirming their belief in Hinduism and their commitment to following temple traditions in order to visit a particular deity.
Religious Commitment Mandate
“The respondents are directed not to allow non-Hindus who do not believe in the Hindu religion. If any Non-Hindu claims to visit a particular deity in the temple, then the respondents shall obtain an undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he has faith in the deity, and he will 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.
Court Asserts Strict Adherence to Temple Agamas and Customs
The court underlined that temple administrators must uphold agamas, customs, and practices to the letter. It denied the respondents’ request to limit the order to the Palani temple, stating that in order to maintain peace and harmony within the community, the instruction need to be implemented at all Hindu temples.
“But the issue raised is a 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 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.
Fundamental Rights Upheld
The ruling emphasised instances in which non-Hindus were purportedly inside temples for non-religious reasons, stating that such conduct infringes against the fundamental rights of Hindus. It emphasised the responsibility of the HR&CE department to protect temples and preserve Hindus’ constitutional right to freely practise their faith.
Court Cites Incidents of Non-Hindu Misconduct
“It was also reported that in Arulmigu Brihadeeswarar Temple a group of persons belonging to other religions had treated the temple premises as a picnic spot and had non-vegetarian food inside the temple premises. Likewise, recently, on 11.01.2024, a newspaper had reported that a group of people belonging to the other religion had entered the Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai with “their sacred book” near the sanctorum and was attempting to do their prayers there. These incidents are absolutely interfering with the fundamental rights guaranteed to the Hindus under the Constitution,” the judge said.
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