Sriram Murali (Velamur)

Non Hindus sporting religious markers and who do not subscribe their reverence to the deity concerned cannot be permitted to step into any part of an Agamic temple premises not just beyond the flag pole, rule Justices G.R. Swaminathan and P. Murugan of #MadrasHighCourt If such entry is permitted without them signing an undertaking, it would defile the sanctity of the temple concerned, they add. Judges: "We notice in recent times that there are egregious breaches. Mr.Badrudeen Mustafa, an MLA representing the Madurai Central Constituency where the famed Meenakshi temple is located, went inside the temple premises soon after his election. He claimed that he had a right to inspect if proper amenities are being provided. He also went up the temple towers on the occasion of Kumbabishekam. It is ironical that the said MLA proclaimed that Sanatana Dharma ought to eradicated. "We take judicial notice of the fact that a Hon'ble Minister who is a Christian by faith, entered Thiruchendur temple without giving the undertaking required from Non-Hindus. We have the illustrious instance of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Shri Joseph Vijay who worshipped Goddess Meenakshi after signing the undertaking. The Hon'ble Chief Minister who is a Christian by faith was not asked to convert to Hinduism. He was only requested to affirm his reverence for the deity. This is what we call as an inclusive approach. "We recall instances from the holy life of Kanchi Maha Periyava. When some foreigners and persons belonging to other faiths would express their desire to embrace Hinduism, he not only discouraged them but called upon them to show greater fidelity to their faith. When Justice Ismail of the Madras High Court used to visit him, Periyava respected the great judge's sentiments by giving him sandal wood paste instead of Viboothi. "Chamchagiri is endemic to our political culture. The party The party workers as a mark of sycophancy hang around their leader. They tend to make a bee-line for him. Whether the occasion is appropriate is beside the point. A jocular instance comes to our mind. A well known Minister was having a good time in a spa. Somehow word spread around. Soon, a good number of Chamchas obsequiously entered the spa and offered their pranams. Much to the acute embarrassment of the Neta. One can imagine how the party workers would conduct themselves when they come to know that their leader, be he an MLA or Minister, is to visit their local temple. Out of sheer enthusiasm, they will follow suit without bothering if they can enter the premises or not. We take judicial notice of a video doing rounds in the social media of persons wearing skull caps, pushing their way through in Thiruvannamali Arunachaleswarar temple, notwithstanding the vigorous protests of the devotees. The HR&CE staff stood as mute spectators. "Not only Chamchagiri but also optics matters in a democracy. We know of one political leader, who is a fundamentalist subscribing to a non-Hindu faith. But he would make it a point to visit the temple and also prominently display the religious mark on his forehead. This was to play to the gallery. The vote value of such a display, is obvious. We hold that usages and customs of temple cannot kneel down before such display of Chamchagiri and optics." Thangam Venkatesh versus State of Tamil Nadu (WP MD 30452/26)