Kerala High Court pulls up Guruvayoor managing committee for permitting "a class of persons", including Mohanlal, to flout temple rules

The Kerala High Court recently directed the Devaswom Managing Committee of Guruvayoor Temple to stop the practice of permitting "a class of worshippers" to enter the temple premises in their vehicles..A division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar noted that in September 2021, prominent Malayalam cine actor Mohanlal was permitted to bring his vehicle into the nadappanthal in the temple premises along with another vehicle belonging to a member of the managing committee..The Court emphasised that all worshippers of Lord Guruvayurappan are expected to exercise their right to worship in accordance with all restrictions that the temple managing committee may place, including those restricting entry of persons or vehicles."Right to worship is a civil right, of course in an accustomed manner and subject to the practise and tradition in each temple. A ‘worshipper’, who shows reverence and adoration for Lord Guruvayurappan, is duty bound to exercise his right to worship in an accustomed manner and subject to the practise and tradition in Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. He is duty bound to obey the restrictions, if any, imposed by the Managing Committee with a view to avoid outspread of Covid-19 and interruption of quotidian poojas and offerings to the deity in case Santhies getting indisposed," the order stated..Right to worship is a civil right, of course in an accustomed manner and subject to the practise and tradition in each temple.Kerala High Court.The Court opined that permitting Mohanlal and others like him to enter in their vehicles violates the restrictions which all worshippers are expected to adhere to."Nadapanthal is not intended for the movement of worshippers in vehicles. Entry of vehicles through Nadapanthal will certainly cause inconvenience to the worshippers, especially children of tender age, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and also mentally challenged persons.... the practise of permitting a class of worshippers to bring their vehicles upto Bhagavathy Temple, through the Nadapathal, with the active support of the members of the Managing Committee or the Administrator, has to be stopped with immediate effect," the Court said in its order..The Court passed the order in a matter taken up by it suo motu based on a letter from the Administrator, Guruvayoor Devaswom Managing Committee, regarding the entry of a former Administrator of the committee, along with two active members of committee, into the Nalambalam of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, on Vishu, April 14, 2022 to view the Vishukkani. The same was contended to be in violation of a decision taken by the Managing Committee on April 12 imposing absolute restriction on entry to Nalambalam on Vishu morning, for all persons including members of the Managing Committee, hereditary employees and VIPs, except persons who are on duty inside the Nalambalam. .Contrary to newspaper reports that were released after the controversy gained traction on social media, the Court found that no security personnel were placed on suspension after the Mohanlal incident."The statements in the affidavit dated filed by the Administrator and also the materials on record in the relevant files would make it explicitly clear that a class of worshippers are permitted to bring their vehicles upto Bhagavathy Temple, through the Nadapathal, with the active support of the Members of the Managing Committee or the Administrator," the Court noted..Regarding the entry into Nalambalam on Vishu, the Court concluded from the material placed on record, that restrictions imposed by the managing committee are being flouted openly by the members of the managing committee, in the presence of the security staff in the temple. The Court also derided the decision of the managing committee to withdraw the complaint registered by the Administrator with the police which it found to be a "failure to discharge the statutory duties"..Therefore, the Court directed the managing committee to ensure that any restrictions imposed regarding entry into the temple, as and when issued, are not flouted by any member of the managing committee, the administrator, former officers of devaswom or any worshipper.The Court also directed the managing committee to consider the issue of providing appropriate arrangements for senior citizens and persons with physical and mental disabilities who wish to visit the temple. .[Read Order]