Is it a college event or a Temple festival ?

Use of temple funds for the music programme in a Kerala temple
Kerala High Court reprimands the temple management

Thiruvananthpuram (Kerala) – Kerala High Court ordered an explanation from the management of Sri Kodakkal devi temple in Kollam, for the music programme on 10th March. The Court demanded to know what kind of stage decoration was done. The Court asked, “Is it a college function? Have you taken money from the devotees to do this? It is a temple festival, and it needs to have devotional songs, not filmy songs.” The programme also had fags of Marxist Communist Party of India and the students’ wing Democratic Youth Federation of India (DFI). They also played songs of revolution by Communist Political party.

🚨 Temple Festival, Not a College Union Event! 🚨 – Kerala High Court

⚖️ Slams Travancore Devaswom Board for playing CPI(M) songs & displaying party symbols at Kadakkal Devi Temple festival! 🚩

❌ Politics has no place in temple festivals!

🍛 "If you have extra funds, feed… pic.twitter.com/INF0Rz8lGd

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 19, 2025

Kerala High Court has warned the temple management. Such programmes must not be repeated in any temple managed by the temple management. The management committee said that the temple advisory committee had not informed them about this concert. This explanation by Travancore Devaswom committee, was not accepted by the Court. The petition filed by advocate Vishnu Sunil was accepted by the Court and asked for rebuttal from the Kodakkal Devi Temple advisory committee and other defendants.

Misuse of temple funds could be avoided

Prima facie of the temple explanation is not acceptable. The LED screen, flashlights, and other props on the stage show that the expenses must be considerable. This kind of misuse of temple funds could have been avoided. No organisation or even a group of devotees will be allowed to collect funds from the devotees or public, for organising a programme. Funds for anything must be arranged with the permission of the management. Government audit will be done for the collected funds. In the previous judgements, guidelines have been given to safeguard funds collected by the temple committees. Travancore Devaswom advocate informed the Court, the main vigilance and security officer, the Police Sub-Inspector has been told to investigate the matter and submit a report. ‘Show Cause’ notice has been served to the Temple Advisory Committee.

Flouting Secularism – Petitioner

Advocate Vishnu Sunil has argued that Aloshi Adam was invited to perform in the concert, which was illegal, and it has hurt the religious sentiments of devotees. This performance was never a part of the Temple festival. Secularism, which is the fundamental principle of the Constitution, has been violated.