Plea before Kerala High Court to restrict entry of non-Hindus to temples

A petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court seeking to regulate entry of non-Hindus to temples under the administration of the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) [Dileep Menon & Anr v. Cochin Devaswom Board & Ors.]..A Division Bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajith Kumar recently granted two weeks time to CDB to file its counter affidavit to the plea..The petition moved by two devotees of Lord Poornathrayeesa also raised concerns about the use of the premises of the Poornathrayeesa temple at Tripunithura for video and film shoots.The petitioners specifically alleged that the recent Malayalam film 'Vishesham' was partially shot within the temple compound, with crew members, reportedly of non-Hindu faith, entering the sacred premises. They also claimed that several films have been shot on other temple grounds including Guruvayur temple, despite restrictions. The petitioners said that such activities disturb the decorum and religious atmosphere in temples and potentially offend devotees.It was also argued that permitting commercial filming inside temple premises, especially for content unrelated to the temple or its deity, was a violation of religious protocols outlined in the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorization of Entry) Rules, 1965.The petitioners also took issue with the CDB, which is responsible for temple management, for allegedly allowing people to enter temple under the influence of alcohol.Therefore, said that directions should be issued to restrict the entry of those who do not follow the Hindu faith to temples under the CDB. The petitioners also sought directions to ensure that filmography and entry of inebriated persons to temple premises are prevented..During the previous hearing in the case, the standing counsel for CDB had submitted that the body had already decided to regulate temple activities in line with Rule 8 of the Rules and that they would be filing a counter affidavit with more details..The same is expected to be done by November 25 when the matter will be taken up next. .The petitioners were represented by advocates T Sanjay, Sanil Kumar G, and Ardhra Krishna.The Cochin Devaswom Board was represented by Standing Counsel KP Sudheer.