Chennai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled that the Palani Murugan temple is not a picnic spot, and non-believers should not enter beyond the perimeter of the flagpole.
The High Court directed the Tamil Nadu state government, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), and temple authorities to install notice boards at the entrance of temples, near the Kodimaram/dhvajastambha (flagpole), and at all prominent places on such premises. These boards should indicate that non-Hindu believers are not allowed beyond the Kodimaram of the temples. The famous Lord Murugan temple is located in Palani in Dindigul district.
The court order was also passed to the Principal Secretary of the Tamil Nadu state Department of Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowments, the Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), and the Executive Officer of the Palani temple.
The judgment also specified that if non-Hindus have faith in Hindu Gods and are willing to follow the rituals and traditions of the temple, they can visit. However, if a non-Hindu wishes to visit a specific deity in a temple, the authorities should obtain an undertaking that the individual has faith in the deity and will follow the customs and practices of Hinduism and the temple. Upon obtaining such an undertaking, the non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple, clarified Justice S Srimathy.
The judgment came in response to a plea from D Senthilkumar, who sought directions to permit only Hindus to the Arulmigu Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and its sub-temples. He also requested the installation of display boards at all entrances conveying this restriction.
The High Court referenced incidents of non-Hindus entering temples and treating them as picnic spots, including instances of non-vegetarian food being consumed within temple premises. The judge noted that these incidents interfere with the fundamental rights guaranteed to Hindus under the Constitution.
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