The Podhu Dikshitars told the Madras High Court that the controversy surrounding Kanagasabai darshan at the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple was being politicised, even though the Supreme Court had clearly held that State governments cannot interfere in the affairs of temples belonging to a specific religious denomination.
The submission was made during the resumed hearing of a petition filed by the Podhu Dikshitars challenging a Government Order issued by the Tamil Nadu government on 15 May 2022, permitting devotees to climb onto the Kanagasabai mandapam and offer prayers.
Supreme Court Rulings Cited
The case came up before a Division Bench comprising Justice R Suresh Kumar and Justice S Soundar.
Senior counsel C.S. Vaidyanathan and K. Harishankar, appearing for the Podhu Dikshitars, contended that the issue was no longer merely administrative but had been turned into a political controversy. They pointed out that the Supreme Court of India, including in recent judgments, had unequivocally ruled that the State has no authority to interfere in the internal matters of temples administered by a particular denomination.
The counsel sought an adjournment of the hearing to enable them to place detailed arguments on record, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s consistent jurisprudence on denominational temple rights.
HR&CE Department Denies Politicisation
Opposing the plea, Special Government Pleader Arun Natarajan, appearing for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, denied the allegation that the issue was being politicised.
He argued that intervention by the department had become necessary due to the alleged failure of the Podhu Dikshitars to properly discharge their administrative responsibilities at the temple.
The HR&CE counsel further submitted that if the court was inclined to adjourn the matter, arrangements at the temple should be modified to facilitate better crowd management. Specifically, he suggested that in addition to the existing single entry-and-exit route for Kanagasabai darshan, an alternative pathway should also be opened so that the number of devotees accessing the Kanagasabai could be assessed.
Court Declines HR&CE Suggestion
The Bench, however, declined to accept the HR&CE Department’s suggestion regarding opening an additional pathway. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case at this stage, the judges adjourned the hearing to February 19.
The matter continues to attract attention due to its implications for denominational temple rights, the limits of State intervention in religious affairs, and the broader debate over the role of the government in temple administration.
Source: Dinamalar
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
