Kerala HC rejects plea to erect saffron flag at temples

By IANS

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition looking for permission to erect saffron flags on the premises of the Muthupilakkadu Sree Parthasarathy temple at Kollam.

The Court mentioned, “Temples stand as beacons of spiritual solace and tranquility, their sanctity and reverence being of paramount importance. Such hallowed spiritual grounds must not be diminished by political maneuverings or attempts at one-upmanship. …The actions and intentions of the petitioners are clearly at odds with the serene and sacred atmosphere to be maintained in the temple”, the Court mentioned in its judgment.

The petition was moved by two individuals who claimed to be devotees of the Muthupilakkadu Sree Parthasarathy temple.

In 2022, they shaped “Parthasarathy Baktha Jana Samithi,” aimed on the welfare of the temple and its devotees.

They identified that their makes an attempt to place up saffron flags on temple premises throughout particular events and festivals had been at all times thwarted by the respondents, who allegedly used their political affect.

Therefore, they sought an order from the court docket to direct the police to provide them safety in order that they aren’t obstructed from erecting the flags.

But the Government Pleader identified that permitting the petitioners to embellish the temple with flags and festoons related to a sure political get together could be akin to permitting the temple for use as a battleground for political one-upmanship.

He additional identified that there have been quite a few clashes on the temple premises as a result of actions of the petitioners, one in every of whom is concerned in lots of felony instances.

Moreover, the temple’s Administrative Committee has handed a decision prohibiting the set up of flags, banners, and so forth., of any political events or organisations inside a radius of 100 meters of the “offertory box.”

Further to that, the Government Pleader additionally submitted a 2020 judgment of the High Court that had ordered the police to take away all such installations from temple premises.

Following this, the court docket dismissed the petition and mentioned, “The petitioners have not demonstrated any legitimate authority to conduct temple rituals as they have prayed for. Furthermore, they cannot be allowed to erect flags or festoons in or around the temple, in light of the orders issued by this court and decision taken by the administrative committee”, the judgment learn.

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has dismissed a petition looking for permission to erect saffron flags on the premises of the Muthupilakkadu Sree Parthasarathy temple at Kollam.

The Court mentioned, “Temples stand as beacons of spiritual solace and tranquility, their sanctity and reverence being of paramount importance. Such hallowed spiritual grounds must not be diminished by political maneuverings or attempts at one-upmanship. …The actions and intentions of the petitioners are clearly at odds with the serene and sacred atmosphere to be maintained in the temple”, the Court mentioned in its judgment.

The petition was moved by two individuals who claimed to be devotees of the Muthupilakkadu Sree Parthasarathy temple.googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

In 2022, they shaped “Parthasarathy Baktha Jana Samithi,” aimed on the welfare of the temple and its devotees.

They identified that their makes an attempt to place up saffron flags on temple premises throughout particular events and festivals had been at all times thwarted by the respondents, who allegedly used their political affect.

Therefore, they sought an order from the court docket to direct the police to provide them safety in order that they aren’t obstructed from erecting the flags.

But the Government Pleader identified that permitting the petitioners to embellish the temple with flags and festoons related to a sure political get together could be akin to permitting the temple for use as a battleground for political one-upmanship.

He additional identified that there have been quite a few clashes on the temple premises as a result of actions of the petitioners, one in every of whom is concerned in lots of felony instances.

Moreover, the temple’s Administrative Committee has handed a decision prohibiting the set up of flags, banners, and so forth., of any political events or organisations inside a radius of 100 meters of the “offertory box.”

Further to that, the Government Pleader additionally submitted a 2020 judgment of the High Court that had ordered the police to take away all such installations from temple premises.

Following this, the court docket dismissed the petition and mentioned, “The petitioners have not demonstrated any legitimate authority to conduct temple rituals as they have prayed for. Furthermore, they cannot be allowed to erect flags or festoons in or around the temple, in light of the orders issued by this court and decision taken by the administrative committee”, the judgment learn.