NO Non-Entry of Hindus in Temples - Court says Not a Picnic Spot
The madras high court on tuesday ordered the tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to display boards in all Hindu temples declaring that non-Hindus are not permitted beyond the 'Kodimaram' (flagpole) region. Justice S Srimathy of the madurai Bench of the madras high court, citing situations in which non-Hindus reportedly visited temples for non-religious purposes, stated, "A temple is not a picnic or tourist spot."
The decision underlined Hindus' basic freedom to practise their faith without hindrance. The ruling came in response to a petition filed by D Senthilkumar, who requested permission for only Hindus to visit the Arulmigu palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and its sub-temples in palani, Dindigul district.
The court ordered that boards be installed at temple entrances, near the flagpole, and other visible locations to indicate that non-Hindus were not permitted beyond the 'Kodimaram'. It further specified that if a non-Hindu wanted to visit a specific god, they must sign an undertaking confirming their faith in hinduism and readiness to follow temple practices.
"The respondents are instructed not to allow non-Hindus who do not believe in the Hindu religion." If any non-Hindu claims to visit a specific deity in the temple, the respondents must obtain an undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he has faith in the deity, that he will follow the customs and practices of the Hindu religion, and that he will also abide by the temple customs, and that the said non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple based on such undertaking," the court ruled.
The court underlined the importance of temple administrations adhering to rigid rules, practices, and agamas. It rejected the respondents' request to limit the order to the palani temple, arguing that the instruction should apply to other Hindu temples to promote communal harmony and peace.
"But the issue highlighted is a bigger one, and it should apply to all Hindu temples, hence the respondents' request is dismissed. As previously indicated, these limits will promote community harmony among different religions while also maintaining societal peace. Therefore, the state government, the HR&CE department, the defendants and all people who are involved in temple management are required to follow the orders to all Hindu temples," the court stated.
The decision underlined Hindus' basic freedom to practise their faith without hindrance. The ruling came in response to a petition filed by D Senthilkumar, who requested permission for only Hindus to visit the Arulmigu palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and its sub-temples in palani, Dindigul district.
The court ordered that boards be installed at temple entrances, near the flagpole, and other visible locations to indicate that non-Hindus were not permitted beyond the 'Kodimaram'. It further specified that if a non-Hindu wanted to visit a specific god, they must sign an undertaking confirming their faith in hinduism and readiness to follow temple practices.
"The respondents are instructed not to allow non-Hindus who do not believe in the Hindu religion." If any non-Hindu claims to visit a specific deity in the temple, the respondents must obtain an undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he has faith in the deity, that he will follow the customs and practices of the Hindu religion, and that he will also abide by the temple customs, and that the said non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple based on such undertaking," the court ruled.
The court underlined the importance of temple administrations adhering to rigid rules, practices, and agamas. It rejected the respondents' request to limit the order to the palani temple, arguing that the instruction should apply to other Hindu temples to promote communal harmony and peace.
"But the issue highlighted is a bigger one, and it should apply to all Hindu temples, hence the respondents' request is dismissed. As previously indicated, these limits will promote community harmony among different religions while also maintaining societal peace. Therefore, the state government, the HR&CE department, the defendants and all people who are involved in temple management are required to follow the orders to all Hindu temples," the court stated.