Person Belonging To Another Religion Cannot Be Prevented From Entry Into A Temple If He Has Faith In The Hindu Deity: Madras HC
The Madras High Court has held that a person of another religion cannot be prohibited from entering into a temple if he has faith in the particular Hindu deity.
The Bench of Justice P.N.Prakash and Justice R.Hemalatha remarked thus "if a person belonging to another religion, has faith in a particular Hindu deity, that cannot be prevented nor can his entry into a temple be prohibited."
The Court was dealing with a Public Interest Litigation which sought to restrain Non-Hindus from entering the temple premises during Kumbabishegam festival in the Arulmighu Adikesava Perumal Thirukovil.
Advocate S. Murugapandi appearing for the petitioner- C.Soman brought to the notice of the Court that an invitation for the conduct of Kumbabishegam festival, wherein, the name of a Minister, who is said to be a Christian, finds a place.
Veera Kathiravan, Additional Advocate General and Advocate K.Sathiya Singh appeared for the Respondents.
The Court observed that it will be an impossible task for authorities to check the religious identity of each person.
"..when a public festival like the Kumababishegam of a temple is performed, it will be impossible for the authorities to check the religious identity of every devotee for the purpose of permitting his entry into the temple", the Court opined.
The Court also observed that songs of Dr.K.J.Yesudas, a Christian by birth, rendered on various Hindu Gods were played in temples.
"It is common knowledge that the devotional songs of Dr.K.J.Yesudas, a Christian by birth, rendered on various Hindu Gods are played without any demur in temples. In fact, in Nagore Dargah and Vailankanni Church, scores of Hindus worship", the Court held.
"Therefore, this Court refrains from taking a very parochial view and instead, prefers to approach the issue from a broader perspective", the Court observed while dismissing the petition.
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