Kerala High Court To Consider Feasibility Of Allowing Wheelchairs Into Naalambalam Of Temples For Differently Abled Devotees, Appoints Amicus Curiae

The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Harisankar V. Menon appointed Advocate V. Ramkumar Nambiar as Amicus Curiae to assist the Court. The Court has also directed the State Government and Standing Counsels of Travancore, Cochin, Malabar and Guruvayoor Devaswoms to get instructions in this matter and to submit their suggestions, if any. 

“Having considered the preliminary submissions made by the learned Senior Government Pleader and the respective Standing Counsel for the Devaswom Boards/Managing Committee, we deem it appropriate to direct the respondents to place on record individual affidavits explaining the facts and circumstances with the suggestions, if any, by the respective Devaswoms, within a period of four weeks.”

The Court has taken suo moto proceedings based on a complaint/request dated February 04, 2024, by a physically challenged woman seeking permission to allow wheelchairs inside Naalambalam of Temples for aiding physically challenged devotees to have a proper darshan.

The complainant stated that it was difficult for her to have a darshan of the deity by sitting on the ground and that her father and husband had to shoulder her for darshan. “Such restrictions will reduce the tempo of spiritual worship and discourage the morale of devotees. Hence it is requested to help such physically challenged people to reach the Sanctum Sanctorum”, the complainant stated.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on May 20, 2024.

Case title: Suo Moto v State of Kerala

Case number: DBP NO. 25 OF 2024

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