The Madras High Court has ruled that no caste group can claim exclusive rights to administer a temple, emphasizing that caste-based segregation in temple administration is unconstitutional. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy delivered the verdict while dismissing a writ petition seeking to delink the Ponkaliamman temple in Maraparai village, Namakkal district, from its joint administration with two other temples.

The petition was filed by C. Ganesan of Maraparai village in Tiruchengode taluk, who sought the implementation of a recommendation made by an Assistant Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. The recommendation suggested separating the administration of the Ponkaliamman temple. However, Justice Chakravarthy ruled that such a recommendation could not be enforced under the court’s writ jurisdiction as per Article 226 of the Constitution.

In a strongly worded order, Justice Chakravarthy underscored that caste-based claims over temples contradict India’s constitutional vision of a casteless society. He stated, “A casteless society is the constitutional goal. Hence, anything relating to perpetuation of caste could not be considered by the court.”

He further criticized the petitioner’s insistence on caste-based temple control, noting, “This court can very well gauge the seriousness with which the petitioner is pursuing the thing called ‘caste’ from the affidavit filed by him… But the concept that a particular temple belongs to a particular caste is unacceptable. Segregation of temples on the basis of caste would only lead to perpetuation of caste.”

During the hearing, Justice Chakravarthy made scathing remarks about caste-based divisions, particularly in Tamil Nadu’s western region. Addressing the petitioner’s counsel, he said, “This court can see what is happening on the ground. There is a limit to everything. Caste frenziness has gone beyond the limits and to the extent where parents who had given birth to children are murdering them in the name of honour killing. It is time for this thing called ‘caste’ to be put down.”

The judge acknowledged that different social groups may have unique ways of worshipping a deity, and the Supreme Court has upheld their customary rights to do so. However, he made it clear that no law grants a caste group the right to control temple administration.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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The post “Caste Frenziness Has Gone Beyond Limits, Time To Put Down Caste”, Says Madras HC Rejecting Caste-Based Temple Administration appeared first on The Commune.

Recently sworn-in Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited the the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala as his first pilgrimage on 13 June 2024. The three-time Chief Minister took oath for the fourth time at Vijayawada and visited the temple to offer his prayers and vowed to “cleanse” the Tirupati-Tirumala administration (TTD) of corruption.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Naidu alleged there were irregularities in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees the Venkateswara temple, during the erstwhile Jagan Mohan Reddy regime. The TDP supremo said he was committed to eliminating corruption and protecting Hindu Dharma in Tirumala. “Cleansing in the state will start from Tirumala. In Tirumala, nothing but the chanting of Govinda’s name will be heard. It is not right to desecrate the sacred Tirumala. When you come to Tirumala, you get the feeling of Vaikuntha. There should be no other slogan on Tirumala except Om Namo Venkatesaya. Tirumala has changed for the worse in the last five years,” he said.

Chandrababu Naidu vows Tirumala administration cleanup after he visits temple pic.twitter.com/ihN50E2uhN

— Akshita Nandagopal (@Akshita_N) June 13, 2024

It is noteworthy that senior Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) officer AV Dharma Reddy, executive officer of the TTD, went on a week-long leave ahead of Naidu’s visit, fueling speculation that he wanted to avoid facing the new CM. The NDA allies – TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena Party – have long alleged that Dharma Reddy indulged in irregularities during his tenure.

Accompanied by his family members, the Chief Minister took a special flight to Tirupati on Wednesday evening and then travelled by road to Tirumala, where he spent the night. Early Thursday morning, he offered prayers at the sacred hill temple.

However, there were protocol lapses during Naidu’s visit, as TTD officials, including JEO V Veerabrahmam and CVSO D Narasimha Kishore, did not come out to receive him when he arrived at Gayatri Nilayam guest house. Naidu expressed his displeasure over this lapse. His son Nara Lokesh also criticized the police for excessive security arrangements, likening it to the previous regime.

Naidu and his family offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara Swamy at the iconic Tirumala temple around 8 AM, marking his maiden visit as the Chief Minister.

Additionally, back in 2022, Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan demanded to free Hindu temples from government control in Andhra Pradesh. He had said, “If this is a secular Country, why can’t Govts have control over Churches and mosques, but only Hindu Temples?” 

If this is a secular Country, why can't Govts have control over Churches and mosques, but only Hindu Temples?

Telugu Super star, Pavan Kalyan! pic.twitter.com/D9uu2EkmqX

— Ethirajan Srinivasan (@Ethirajans) March 15, 2022

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