'Nadapanthal' Of Temple Is Not A Place For Cutting Birthday Cake: Kerala HC Prohibits Videography By Vloggers In Guruvayur Temple Premises

The Kerala High Court has passed an order prohibiting videography, other than that in connection with marriage functions and other religious ceremonies, in the Nadapanthal (porch in front of the temple) of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. 

The Court passed the interim order in a Writ Petition filed inter alia seeking direction not to allow entry of non-Hindus including in Guruvayoor Temple and its premises, including the Nadapanthal. The Writ Petition was filed in the context of a video showing one Jasna Salim, a Muslim painter who claims to be a devotee of Sri Krishna, cutting a birthday cake in the Guruvayur Temple premises. 

The Division Bench of  Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajithkumar ordered, "Having considered the preliminary submissions made at the Bar, we deem it appropriate to direct the 2nd respondent Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee and the additional 5th respondent Administrator to take necessary steps to ensure that videography other than that in connection with marriage functions and other religious ceremonies are not permitted in the Nadapanthal of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. The videography by vloggers, by following celebrities, shall not be permitted in the Nadapanthal".

The Writ Petition was filed by two persons claiming to be devotees of the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple through Advocate R. Krishna Raj. 

On September 5, the Court had suo motu impleaded the Administrator of the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee and the Respondents were directed to get instructions with specific reference to the video clippings produced by the Petitioner. 

The Petitioners had also sought a direction to the authorities to take action against Jasna Salim for allegedly violating the provisions of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act, 1965 and Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965 by entering Guruvayur temple premises, including the Nadapanthal, and engaging in alleged illegal activities including, videographing on various occasions.

The video produced by the Petitioner also showed that the said Jasna Salim quarrelled with someone in the Temple premises. In that regard, the Court said in its order, "Every devotee has a right to exercise his right of worship in Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition of that temple. No person can be permitted to pick up a quarrel with the devotees in the Nadapanthal, as seen from Ext.P5 video. Similarly, the Nadapanthal of a temple is not a place for cutting Birthday Cake". 

The Court has directed that the matter be listed on October 18, 2024.

Cause Title: P.P. Venugopal & Anr. v. State of Kerala & Ors. (WP(c) No. 31313 OF 2024)

Appearance:

Petitioners: Advocates R. Krishna Raj, R. Pratheesh (Aranmula), E.S.Soni, Sreeraja V., Laxmi Priyaa NP  

 Click here to read/download Order