Read Time: 06 minutes

Synopsis

The Kerala High Court recently disposed of a writ petition challenging the conduct of an iftar feast at the Sree Mrudanga Saileswari Temple auditorium, recording that the temple’s Executive Officer had not granted permission for the event.

A Division Bench, comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S., directed the Malabar Devaswom Board and the temple’s Executive Officer to ensure that the activities of the Kalasa Committee, a temple committee, are confined to their designated purposes of installing a golden flag mast and renovating the sanctum sanctorum (sreekovil).

The petitioners, Sreekumar Mankuzhy and Anoop V.S., approached the court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking to restrain the conduct of 'Samooha Nombuthura' and 'Sneha Sangamam' at the temple auditorium, scheduled for March 26, 2025, as part of an iftar celebration. It was argued that the Kalasa Committee, constituted under the Malabar Devaswom Board, was acting beyond its mandate by organizing such events. The petitioners also sought a writ of mandamus directing the State, the Devaswom Board, and the temple administration to enforce the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act, 1965, to prevent the entry of non-Hindus into the temple.

The petitioners highlighted a notice issued for the event, asserting it violated the provisions of the 1965 Act and the rules governing temple administration. The temple’s Executive Officer clarified that no permission was granted for the iftar event.

The court recorded the submission of the temple’s Executive Officer that no permission had been granted for the iftar event. It also noted that the Kalasa Committee’s activities must remain confined to its original purpose. The court stated, “the activities of the 6th respondent Kalasa Committee has to be confined to the works relating to installation of golden flag mast and renovation of the Sreekovil of Porkkali Bhagavathi. Such a committee cannot conduct ‘Samooha Nombuthura’ and ‘Sneha Sangamam’ in the temple auditorium.”

The bench chose not to delve into the issue of non-Hindu entry, observing that the petitioners’ primary grievance—regarding the iftar event—had been resolved.

“We do not propose to consider the rival contentions on the above aspect in this proceedings, since the grievance of the petitioners regarding the conduct of ‘Samooha Nombuthura’ and ‘Sneha Sangamam’ in the auditorium of Mrudanga Saileswari Temple on 26.03.2025, stands redressed based on the stand taken by the 4th respondent Executive Officer that the said respondent has not granted permission to anyone to conduct ‘Samooha Nombuthura’ and Sneha Sangamam’ on 26.03.2025 in the auditorium of Mrudanga Saileswari Temple,” the court noted.

As a result, the court disposed of with directions to the Malabar Devaswom Board and the Executive Officer to take necessary steps to ensure that the Kalasa Committee’s activities remain within its specified mandate.

 

Cause Title: Sreekumar Mankuzhy & Anr v. State of Kerala & Ors [WP(C) NO. 12196 OF 2025]