Court rules on temple entry for non-Hindus

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court said non-Hindus wearing religious markers cannot enter Agamic temple premises unless they affirm reverence for the deity in the prescribed format.

“Even entry into the Agamic temple premises cannot be permitted for non-Hindus who sport religious markers and who do not subscribe their reverence to the deity concerned.”

Petition sought enforcement of temple entry law

K. Thangam Venkatesh of Madurai district filed a public interest petition asking authorities to investigate violations of the Tamil Nadu Temple Entry Authorisation Act and enforce its provisions.

Court cites recent breaches of temple law

Justices G.R. Swaminathan and P. Murugan noted that although the law had been declared in categorical terms, there had been egregious breaches in recent times at various Agamic temples.

MLA entered Meenakshi Temple after election

Badrudeen Mustafa, MLA for Madurai Central Constituency, entered Meenakshi Temple premises soon after his election, claiming he had a right to inspect amenities and went up temple towers during Kumbabhishekam.

Christian minister entered temple without undertaking

The court noted that a Christian minister entered Tiruchendur temple without giving the undertaking required from non-Hindus, citing judicial notice of the breach.

Chief Minister's temple visit praised as inclusive

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, a Christian, worshipped Goddess Meenakshi after signing the required undertaking. The court called this an inclusive approach that did not require conversion.

“We have the illustrious instance of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay who worshipped Goddess Meenakshi after signing the undertaking. The Chief Minister who was a Christian by faith was not asked to convert to Hinduism. He was only requested to affirm his reverence for the deity. This was what we call an inclusive approach.”

Video shows breach at Arunachaleswarar Temple

The court took judicial notice of a video showing persons wearing skull caps pushing into Thiruvannamali Arunachaleswarar Temple despite vigorous protests from devotees, with HR and CE staff standing as mute spectators.

Ruling limited to Agamic temples only

The court clarified that its judgement applied only to Agamic temples, noting that Lord Ayyappa and Shirdi Sai Baba have devotees across religions and are beyond religious boundaries.