Plea In Kerala High Court Seeks Restrictions On Entry Of Non-Hindus To Temples Under Cochin Devaswom Board

The Division Bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice P G Ajithkumar has given time to the Cochin Devaswom Board to file their counter affidavit.

The petition has been moved by devotees of Lord Poornathrayeesa Temple at Thripunithura. The petitioners contended that non-believers with 'scant regard to the sacred nature of the pujas, ceremonies, rituals or Agama system' were entering Sri Poornathrayeesa Temple.

The petitioners specifically pointed towards the shooting of the Malayalam movie “Vishesham” in the temple. It was alleged that the majority of the crew of the movie were non-Hindus and it was shot disregarding the religious rituals and ceremonies by hurting the sentiments of devotees. It was stated that in the scene shown, a couple's wedding takes place in the Temple and the bride is shown as eloping with her boyfriend, creating a ruckus in the Temple.

It was argued that shooting a commercial movie in the temple was against the provisions of Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorization of Entry) Rules, 1965. 

The petitioner thus seeks to restrict the entry of inebriated persons and persons wearing footwear inside the Temple and prohibit the shooting of video or commercial films inside the Temple.

The petitioner also seeks direction from the respondents to install appropriate boards at the entrance of all Temples functioning under the Cochin Devaswom Board to ensure that every devotee who enters the Temple follows its customs and rituals.

The matter has been posted to November 13. 

The plea was moved by Advocates T. Sanjay, Sanil Kumar G., Ardhra Krishna

Case Title: Dilip Menon and Another v Cochin Devaswom Board and Others

Case No: WP(C) No. 34734/ 2024