9 July 2022
A person belonging to another religion cannot be prevented from entry into a temple if; he has faith in that Hindu deity: Madras High Court
The petitioner requested that; non-Hindu people not be allowed to participate in the Kumbabishegam festival of; Arulmighu Adikesava Perumal Thirukovil in Thiruvattar.
The Madras High Court recently observed that; if a person of another religion has faith in a particular Hindu god, he cannot be prevented from entering that god’s temple [C Soman] v. Secretary, Hindu Religious Charity Board, and others].
A split bench of Judges PN Prakash and R Hemalatha made the same observation in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) motion asking non-Hindus not to participate in the Kumbabishegam festival of Arulmighu Adikesava Perumal Thirukovil in Thiruvattar.
The petition supported by; a C Soman following an invitation to conduct the Kumbabishegam festival, where, the name of a minister, who is believed to be a Christian, found a site.
While settling the matter, the Court pointed out that even devotional songs by Dr. KJ Yesudas, a Christian, performed on; various Hindu deities performed with no regard. Attend temples like Nagore Dargah and Velankanni Church.
Furthermore, it has also been observed that when a holiday such as the Kumababisegam of a temple is celebrated, the authorities will not be able to verify; the religious identity of individual devotees for the purpose of allowing them to enter the temple. Worship
In this context, the Court commented:
“In our opinion, when a public holiday such as; the Kumababisegam of a temple is celebrated, the authorities will not be able to verify; the identity religion of each believer for his own permissive purposes. Also, if a person of another religion has faith in a particular Hindu deity, that; cannot be prevented and his entry into the temple cannot be barred.
Accordingly, the Court dismissed the petition.
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