Non-Hindus with faith in a deity cannot be prevented from entering temples, orders Madras High Court

NEW DELHI: The Madras High Court ordered that non-Hindus who have faith cannot be prevented from entering the temple.

The court made this importance observation rejecting the plea to ban non-Hindus during the Kumbabishegam festival of Arulmighu Adikesava Perumal Thirukovil at Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari district.

A division bench comprising Justices P N Prakash and Justice R Hemalatha explained that non-Hindus who have faith in the deity cannot be prevented from entering the temple.

The petition was filed by C Soman, against the participation of a Christian minister in Kumbabishegam festival. The court also pointed out that when thousands of people participate in public festivals like Kumbhabhishegam, the religious identity of every devotee cannot be identified.

The court also pointed out that devotional songs sung by Christian Dr. K J Yesudas about Hindu Gods are being played in temples. The court said that many Hindus come to worship at the Nagore Dargah, a Muslim place of worship, and Vailankanni, a Christian place of worship.