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Synopsis

The Kerala High Court recently directed the local administration of Sree Sarkara Devi Temple, Chirayinkeezhu to ensure that no mass drill or weaponry practices take place at the temple premises. 

The bench of Justice Anil K Narendran passed the order while disposing of a petition filed by two devotees and nearby residents of the temple against the mass drill and shouting by alleged members of Rashthriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS).

The high court referred to an earlier division bench judgement which stated that "politics has no role to play in the conduct of daily worship and ceremonies and festivals in temples".

The petitioners moved the high court alleging that the activities of the alleged RSS member were disturbing the 'peaceful and calm atmosphere' of the temple and they were also against the divinity of 'Sanctum Sanctorum' and petitioners' 'right to worship' enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

They claimed that the mass drills and loud shouting by alleged RSS members, which were conducted daily between 5:00 pm and 12:00 a.m., were causing significant distress and inconvenience to Sree Sarkara Devi temple visitors, particularly women and children.

However, the plea was opposed by the alleged RSS members who denied that the RSS shakha was conducting any mass drills or weapon training at the temple premises as alleged.

The alleged RSS members, Vimal of Aradippatha in Chirayinkeezhu and Babu S of Anchakkadavu in Chirayinkeezhu, the sixth and seventh respondents in the case, filed a counter affidavit stating that the allegations against them were baseless instead the services offered by RSS during the temple festival, as part of seva program, were welcomed by the devotees of the temple.

They claimed that the allegations were politically motivated and made with the intention to defame them and prevent them from offering worship in the temple.

They submitted that the first petitioner, G Vyasan, was the Secretary of the Sarkara Local Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the second petitioner, KV Vijayakumar was a member of that committee.

Court noted that a  police enquiry had revealed that the allegations were true and when notices were sent to the respondents, only then did the drills and training stop. 

Court stressed that the Travancore Devaswom Board has to manage the properties and affairs of Sree Sarkara Devi Temple and arrange for the conduct of the daily worship and ceremonies and of the festivals in the said temple according to the usage.

Therefore, court directed the Devaswom Commissioner and concerned Administrative Officer to ensure that no unauthorised use of temple takes place. 

Case Title: G. Vyasan and Another v. State of Kerala and Others