'As Secular Institutions, Courts Can't Engage in Activities Promoting Particular Religion': Kerala High Court To Judicial Officers On Guruvayur Temple Event

Following a reference from the Judge-in-Charge of Thrissur district, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday issued an official memorandum to the district's judicial officers asking them not to actively involve themselves in organising "Kodathi Vilakku" which is hosted annually at the Guruvayur temple.

Noting that an event under the banner of "Kodathi Vilakku" is annually hosted at the Guruvayur temple by an organising committee comprising of members of the Chavakkad Munsiff Court Bar Association, the high court administration said that even though there can be no objection to the Bar Association members organising such an event, the use of the name "Kodathi Vilakku" is unacceptable "for it gives the impression that the Courts in our State are in some way connected with the organization of the event."

The OM said the fact that judicial officers of all the ranks, including those professing other religions, feel compelled or obligated to attend the annual event that is "invariably attended even by the High Court Judges" can be misleading.

"As secular democratic institutions under the Constitution, the Court cannot be seen engaging in activities that promote any particular religion," it added.

The high court also said that while steps are being explored to prevent the organisers of the event from the use of "Kodathi Vilakku" in future, the Judicial Officers in Thrissur Judicial District are advised "not to actively involve themselves in the organizing of the said event, either by consenting to be part of the organizing committee or in any other manner."

"They shall also not feel compelled or obligated to attend the event," said Joint Registrar J. Hemaletha in the OM.

Kerala High Court criticises an annual practice conducted by local bar association at Guruvayoor temple with the name "kodathi vilakku" (court lamp).

Court notes the name gives the impression that the event is promoted by Courts.#Kerala pic.twitter.com/8tplqPyVtc

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) November 2, 2022