In the case of M Sekar v. The District Collector, the Madras High Court bench led by Justice N Anand Venkatesh took a dim view of the court’s overabundance of cases involving law and order problems at temples.
The court noted that although temples are places for believers to seek tranquility, they were frequently turning into sources of law and order issues, defeating the entire purpose.
During the hearing, the petitioner and others asked that their right to worship at the temple dedicated to their family deity be protected. The disputes in the temple were brought on by the parties’ respective right to worship.
“A temple must create an environment to subside the ego of a person and on the contrary it is becoming a breeding ground for clash of ego between persons and God is pushed to the back seat,” The Court lamented while it considered the matter.
According to the State’s attorney, the parties had frequently engaged in fights whenever a function was attempted at the temple, and despite repeated efforts, the conflicts did not end. As a result, the temple was closed until everything was back to normal.
Therefore, the single-judge believed that giving a fit individual control over the temple’s administration would sufficiently resolve the ego conflicts and prevent anyone from feeling superior.
“The Assistant Commissioner of HR & CE must immediately step in and appoint a fit person for the Temple,”
the Court ordered.
The Court stated that the appointment process had to be completed within ten days and that the temple would not be opened until after the appointment.
“It shall be ensured that no one indulges in act of violence resulting in a law and order problem and if any such incidents takes place, the Superintendent of Police shall immediately take charge and action shall be initiated against the concerned persons.”
The Court held
The respondents were represented by Additional Government Pleader U Baranidharan, Advocate Guru Prasath, and Government Advocate Karthikeyan, while the petitioner was represented by advocates R Thirumoorthy and S Rajanikanth.
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