Mass Drills In Temple Premises Not Permitted: Plea In Kerala High Court Against Alleged Illegal Encroachment By RSS Members, Notice Issued

The Division Bench comprising Justice VG Arun and Justice S Manu admitted the matter and issued notice to the respondents. 

The Counsel appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Nikhil Sankar S submitted that the temple festival is going to be held from 21st April to 30th April 2024 and the illegal use of the temple and its premises by RSS members would create law and order situations. 

The plea alleged that RSS members have illegally encroached and unauthorizedly occupied temple premises for conducting sakha activities, like mass drills on all days. It is alleged that due to the mass drills, senior citizens, women and children devotees find it difficult to visit the temple peacefully to pray. It is also alleged that RSS members have erected flags and flagstaffs in temple premises without any authority.

Further, the plea stated that the temple is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board and circulars have been issued for preventing unauthorized use of temples but they have not been implemented properly.

The plea refers to G Vyasan v State of Kerala & Ors (2023) whereby the High Court has declared that temple premises cannot be used for conducting mass drills or weaponry training by devotees or group of persons.

The petitioner has thus approached the Court seeking direction to the temple administration to ensure peace and calm atmosphere at the temple and to protect the petitioner's Right to Worship' as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The petitioners thus seek the Court's direction to issue orders to prevent illegal use and unauthorized occupancy of the temple and its premises by RSS members.

Case Title: Baiju v State of Kerala

Case Number: WP(C) 16359/2024