The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court issued a directive to the Tamil Nadu government’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to reinstate the banner that stated, “Only Hindus are allowed,” within the Pazhani Dhandayudhapani Swamy temple. The court made this decision while responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Hindu activist. Emphasising that removing the notice board could lead to unnecessary controversies, the court promptly ordered the authorities to maintain the notice board in its original location.
A few days ago on 22 June 2023, a controversy arose when a Muslim family expressed their desire to visit the temple. The temple staff allegedly attempted to retrieve the tickets issued to the Muslim women in the family who were wearing burqas for Darshan. Subsequently, a heated argument ensued between the Muslim family and the temple staff. Shortly after this incident, the banner at the entrance of the temple, which stated that only Hindus are allowed, was removed.
Upon learning about the removal of the banner, several pro-Hindu organizations converged at the administrative office of the Pazhani temple. They engaged in discussions with the temple authorities and demanded that the banner be reinstated.
According to reports, the Tamil Nadu government’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department removed the banner stating that only Hindus are allowed at the entrance of the Pazhani Murugan temple following opposition from a Muslim family.
In a petition that was presented for hearing before the judge at the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. Advocate Arun Swaminathan, representing the petitioner, argued that Section 48 of the Hindu Charities Act, 1947 clearly prohibits non-Hindus from entering Hindu temples. Therefore, the advocate insisted on maintaining the ban on non-Hindus entering the Pazhani temple. The advocate also requested the re-installation of the “no entry” banner for non-Hindus at the same location.
In response, the judge questioned the removal of the banner that prohibited non-Hindus from entering the temple. Further, the judge ordered the restoration of the banner at the same place. The case hearing has been adjourned for two weeks.
HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu announced his intention to appeal against the High Court order. In response to this development, temple activist TR Ramesh took to Twitter to say that he will intervene in the matter to safeguard the interests of the temple.
The Minister for @tnhrcedept ‘s announcement that he will appeal against the order of a learned Single Judge that only Hindus shd be allowed in Palani Temple – is against temple traditions & TN Temple Entry Authorisation Act. I will intervene in this case to safeguard temple. pic.twitter.com/aI3XnnkhVc
— trramesh (@trramesh) August 2, 2023
(With inputs from Puthiya Thalaimurai)
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