Reconsider the Complete Ban on Entry of Non-Hindus into Hindu Temples

• Kerala High Court Verdict

• Christian Priests Were Invited to a Temple in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) — The Kerala High Court has observed that the rule imposing a complete ban on the entry of non-Hindus into Hindu temples should be reconsidered so that it remains consistent with constitutional principles. The Court stated that laws governing religious places should not become a cause of social instability or controversy, in a recent judgment.

The Court dismissed a petition challenging the entry of Christian priests into a temple during Hindu festivals. While rejecting the petition, the Court directed the state government to consider whether Rule 3(a) of the Kerala Hindu Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965 should be retained in its present form or amended after consultation with religious stakeholders.

What Is the Case?

The controversy arose from an incident on September 7, 2023, at the Adur Sri Parthasarathy Temple in Pathanamthitta district during the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami. As part of a public programme organised during the festival, the temple administration had invited two Christian priests.

After the programme, the priests were taken near the Sreekovil (the inner sanctum area) and were felicitated. Since the priests were in religious attire, some Hindu devotees objected to their presence. They contended that under the Kerala Hindu Public Worship Act, 1965 and the rules framed thereunder, non-Hindus are not permitted to enter temples.

Temple devotee Sunil Narayanan Nampoothiri approached the Kerala High Court, alleging that the temple administration had violated the law by allowing the entry of Christian priests. He sought disciplinary action against members of the temple advisory committee, including their removal from office.

The petition also demanded a complete ban on the entry of all non-Hindus into the temple premises and directions to perform remedial religious rites to restore the sanctity of the premises.