Madras High Court: People belonging to other communities should be allowed to enter temples
The High Court of Madras has dismissed a petition seeking ban on entry of non-Hindus in temples, observing that if a person belonging to another religion believes in a particular Hindu deity, he should be allowed to enter the temple of that deity.
The observation was made by a Division Bench of Justice P.N. Prakash and Justice R. Hemalatha, while dealing with a petition seeking direction that the non-Hindus should not be permitted to participate in the Kumbabishegam festival of Arulmighu Adikesava Perumal Thirukovil at Thiruvattar.
The petition was filed by one C. Soman due to an invitation that was extended to a Christian Minister for Kumbabishegam festival.
The court, while dealing with the issue, highlighted how there were things, which were beyond the religion a man is born into. The court said that devotional songs of Dr K.J. Yesudas, who was a Christian by birth, rendered on Hindu Gods are played without any demur in temples, such as in Nagore Dargah and Velankanni Church.
The court also said that when public festivals like Kumababishegam are performed, it becomes nearly impossible for authorities to check the religious identity of every devotee for the purpose of permitting his entry into the temple.
Besides, if a person belonging to another religion has faith in a particular Hindu deity, he/she cannot be prohibited from, or denied entry into a temple, observed the High Court and dismissed the petition.
Arulmighu Adikesava Perumal ThirukovilentryJustice PN PrakashJustice R HemalathaKumbabishegamKumbabishegam festivalMadras High CourtNon-HindusTempleThiruvattar