Why Guruvayur reference in Ayodhya verdict...

NEW DELHI: The historic Ayodhya verdict pronounced by the Supreme Court on Saturday contained 1045 pages.
Interestingly, in the verdict, there is reference to Guruvayur temple in connection with a 1993 case. The constitutional bench alluded to that case in reply to the question whether a temple could be considered as a citizen who have to obey laws.

The court’s mention was the case filed by social worker C K Rajan in connection with alleged anomalies in Guruvayur temple.

The 1993 verdict of the Supreme Court was that though the temple has its own constitution and procedures, the Supreme Court and the high court could interfere in the affairs of the temple.

The devotees could approach the high court or the Supreme Court via a Public Interest Litigation if they feel that the government denies them the rights given under Article 25, 26.

The reference to the Guruvayur temple is on pages 204 and 205. Justice S B Sinha had said that trial can be conducted against temple as done against a citizen who are duty-bound to obey the law.

But the constitutional bench’s finding in the Ayordhya verdict was that Justice Sinha had not ordered that a temple could be considered as a citizen who are duty-bound to obey the law.

In the verdict it is also underscored that all laws applicable to individuals need not be applicable to temples.