Madras High Court |
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has delivered a groundbreaking verdict, decreeing that individuals who don't follow Hinduism must be barred from entering the Palani Murugan Temple. The ruling specifically mandates that non-Hindus and those not subscribing to Hindu beliefs are prohibited from proceeding past the temple's 'kodimaram.'
Furthermore, the judgment stresses the importance of prominently displaying notices conveying this restriction at various spots within the temple premises.
The Madras HC has directed the authorities of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to install boards in all temples explicitly stating that 'Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple beyond the kodimaram' (flagpole). These boards are to be placed at the entrances of the temples, near the kodimaram, and in prominent locations within the temple premises.
Justice S. Srimathy further ruled that if a non-Hindu wishes to visit a specific deity in the temple, the authorities must obtain an undertaking from them affirming their faith in the deity and their commitment to Hindu customs, practices, and temple rituals. Upon providing such an undertaking, the non-Hindu individual may be granted permission to enter the temple.
Any instance of a non-Hindu visitor allowed entry based on the undertaking should be documented in the register maintained by the temple authorities. This directive was issued as part of a ruling in response to a plea seeking permission for Hindus alone to enter the Dhandayudhapani Swamy Temple in Palani, Dindigul district.
The court also observed that the restriction on the entry of non-Hindus applies to all Hindu temples in the state, not just the Palani temple alone.
The petitioner, temple activist TR Ramesh, expressed satisfaction with the decision by the Madras HC, stating that the TN HRCE Department was in violation of the Temple Entry Authorisation Act, 1947, and the Rules framed thereunder by allowing Non-Hindus in the temple without restrictions, leading to Agama violations and increased security risks.
TR Ramesh further tweeted about the court's decision, highlighting the directive to keep a board indicating the prohibition of non-Hindus beyond the 'Kodi Maram' (Dwajasthamba – Holy Flagpost of the temple), and the requirement for non-Hindus wishing to visit to declare their belief in the deity and commitment to temple customs. He also mentioned his intention to seek the removal of the Executive Officer of TN HRCE Department from the temple premises, citing previous court orders.
The legal proceedings surrounding the issue have seen debates on constitutional rights and the significance of Article 15(2) in excluding temples from being used as picnic spots.
The controversy surrounding banners prohibiting non-Hindus arose when the HR&CE department displayed such a banner at the Palani temple, leading to protests and arguments involving temple employees and Hindu activists.
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