Supreme Court Ruling on Temple Practices
The Supreme Court of India recently addressed the issue of religious practices in temples, emphasizing adherence to traditional rituals and customs for those wishing to worship at a shrine.
Key Highlights of the Court's Decision
- The court stressed that personal beliefs must align with temple practices, known as sampradaya, for entry and worship.
- Justice M.M. Sundresh noted that questioning a practice means stepping outside the denomination.
- Examples given include mandatory dress codes like wearing a dhoti or removing shirts in specific temples.
Sabarimala Case Reference
The Sabarimala judgment of 2018, which lifted the ban on women of menstruating age entering the shrine, was critiqued for not applying the ‘sampradaya test’.
- Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan argued that the judgment was based on the 'essential religious practices' test, which he claims is unsuitable for Indian religions.
- He emphasized that sampradayas are defined by shared theological beliefs and customary practices.
Religious Denominations and Sampradayas
- Justice B.V. Nagarathna highlighted that Hindus may belong to multiple sampradayas but must adhere to the specific practices of a temple they visit.
- Vaidyanathan noted no religious discrimination at Sabarimala; non-Hindus can enter if they follow the required practices and have faith in Ayyappa.
Constitutional Protection and Devotee Rights
Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj asserted that temple management and worship practices reflect the deity's will, protected under the Constitution as devotees' religious rights.
- He argued that non-believers have no right to interfere with believers' practices.
- Examples include temples where liquor is part of the religious offering (theertham).
