"Not tourist spot": Madras HC bars entry of non-Hindus beyond flagpoles in temples

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to install boards in Hindu temples stating that non-Hindus will not be allowed beyond the flagpole area. The order was passed by a bench presided over by Justice Srimathy while passing judgment on a plea filed by D Senthil Kumar regarding the prevention of entry of non-Hindus into the Arulmigu Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and its sub-temples at Palani in Dindigul district. The judge also pointed out that this order is applicable to the authorities of all temples.

Senthil Kumar filed a plea in the High Court against the Principal Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department, the Head of the HR and CE Department, the Executive Officer of the temple and others.

"The respondents are directed not to allow non-Hindus who do not believe in the Hindu religion. If any Non-Hindu claims to visit a particular deity in the temple, then the respondents shall obtain an undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he has faith in the deity, and he will follow the customs and practices of Hindu religion and also abide by the temple customs and on such undertaking the said non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple," the court ruled.

At the same time, the High Court also mentioned some incidents of non-Hindus entering many temples in Tamil Nadu for non-religious purposes and such actions interfere with the fundamental rights of Hindus.