{"id":267055,"date":"2022-05-19T10:00:37","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T04:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=267055"},"modified":"2022-05-27T10:39:52","modified_gmt":"2022-05-27T05:09:52","slug":"whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/","title":{"rendered":"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship"},"content":{"rendered":"

Madras High Court: <\/strong>Expressing that, the right of worship guaranteed under the Constitution to be respected by all concerned and devotees cannot be denied their right to worship under any circumstances, S.M. Subramaniam, J., held that every devotee has got a right to enter into the temple and worship Lord Sri Varadaraja Perumal in the way he likes without affecting the rights of other devotees\/worshippers and temple activities.<\/p>\n

A petition was filed questioning the validity of the notice issued by the 3rd<\/sup> respondent\/Assistant Commissioner\/Executive Trustee proceedings.<\/p>\n

The dispute relates to the chanting of Srisaila Dayapathram (initial recital) by the Thengalai Sect and the chanting of Sri Ramanuja Dayapathram (initial recital) by the Vadagalai Sect. Due to the dispute between Thengalai Sect and Vadagalai Sect, the ordinary devotees were unable to have a peaceful Darshan in the subject Temple namely Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple.<\/p>\n

In order to regulate the Temple activities including observance of poojas and rituals, the third respondent issued a Circular.<\/p>\n

Petitioner contended that the said Circular impugned violated the fundamental right of worship by Vadagalai Sect and performance of their recitals in the temple.<\/p>\n

Analysis and Decision<\/span><\/h4>\n

It was not disputed that the Thengalai Sect enjoyed primacy over chanting of their initial recitals namely Srisaila Dayapathram and Prabandhams. The right of the Vadagalai equally to worship their Guru and God alone is to be considered.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe religious rite guaranteed under the Constitution must be provided to all concerned and discrimination or denial of religious practices, at no circumstances, be allowed by the Courts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

High Court expressed that, a religion may not only lay down a code of ethical rules for its followers to accept, but may also prescribe rituals and observations, ceremonies and modes of worship, which were regarded as an integral part of the religion.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Article 25(1) extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion.<\/p>\n

In the instant case, prohibition of Thengalai Sect from chanting their initial recital namely Srisaila Dayapathram and Prabandham is in dispute.<\/p>\n

Bench added that the third respondent was empowered to regulate the affairs of the temple and to maintain decorum in all respects and at all ties including while performing the rituals, poojas, etc., equally the protection given under Articles 25 and 26 extends to a guarantee for rituals and observances, ceremonies and modes of worship, which are integral part of religion or religious practice and it has to be decided by the Court with reference to the doctrine of a particular religion or practices regarded as parts of religion.<\/p>\n

Hence, the sentiments of both Vadagali and Thengalai Sects are to be respected and mutual respect between them is also of paramount importance.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cTolerance is the hall mark principle in Hinduism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Court elaborated that the mutual understanding and respect and glorify the Lord alone will preserve the sanctity of the temple activities and therefore, both the sects were expected to do services to Lord Sri Varadaraja Perumal instead of fighting on trivial issues, as the rights and duties are corresponding, and every fundamental right is subject to restrictions so as to maintain public order in Temple administration and its activities.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cEvery religious right is subject to public order. Persons violating the provisions of the Act and Rules are liable to be prosecuted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Adding to the above observations, Court stated that third respondent is empowered to regulate the Temple activities and the due observance of religious rites and ceremonies performed in the temple.<\/p>\n

In Court\u2019s opinion, the impugned order was in consonance with the provisions of the Statutes.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026religious rights of devotees, worshipers, are to be protected. The guarantee under Articles 25 and 26 for the rituals and observance, ceremonies and modes of worship, which all are integral part of religious practices, are also to be taken into consideration by the Courts.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The Court observed that, the right of primacy to chant initial recital and Prabandham by the Thengalai sect was not disputed by the Vadagalai sect. The Vadagalai sect were ready and willing to co-operate for peaceful observance of rituals without affecting the rights of Thengalai Sect.<\/p>\n

Following interim order was passed:<\/p>\n

(1) The Thengalai sect shall be permitted to sit in first two or three rows inside the Temple and behind them, the Vadagalai sect and ordinary devotees shall be permitted to sit in the remaining available space inside the Temple. The seating arrangements shall be regulated by the 3rd respondent\/ Assistant Commissioner \/ Executive Trustee in such a manner without affecting discipline and decorum of the rituals and pooja activities.<\/p>\n

(2) The Thengalai sect shall be permitted to commence their initial recital namely Srisaila Dayapathram and thereafter, Vadagalai sect shall be permitted to chant initial recital namely Sri Ramanuja Dayapathram within 10 to 12 seconds each and thereafter, both the Thengalai sect, Vadagalai sect and ordinary devotees shall be permitted to jointly chant Naalayira Divya Prabandham in a uniformed manner without disrupting the rituals and poojas and without causing any inconvenience or nuisance to the other devotees and worshippers, who all are present in the Temple.<\/p>\n

(3) On completion of chanting of Naalayira Divya Prabandham by Vadagalai sect, Thengalai sect and ordinary devotees, jointly the final ritual namely Vazhithirunamam may be firstly chanted by Thengalai sect i.e., \u201cManavalamamunigal Vaazhithirunamam\u201d and thereafter, the Vadagalai sect shall be allowed to recite their concluding Mantra i.e., \u201cDesikan Vazhi Thirunamam\u201d and accordingly, the entire process of rituals shall be concluded.<\/p>\n

(4) The third respondent \/ the Assistant Commissioner \/ Executive Trustee is directed to Monitor the observance of rituals both by the Thengalai sect and Vadagalai sect and in the event of any violations of discipline and decorum, initiate all appropriate action in the manner known to law including penal actions.<\/p>\n

(5) The third respondent \/ the Assistant Commissioner\/ Executive Trustee is directed to make the above arrangements with immediate effect and videograph the events and produce the same before this Court during the next hearing, on 25.05.2022.<\/p>\n

(6) The third respondent \/ the Assistant Commissioner\/ Executive Trustee is directed to file a Compliance Report on 25.05.2022.<\/p>\n

In view of the above, the registry was directed to list the matter for reporting compliance on 25-5-2022. [S. Narayanan v. State of T.N., 2022 SCC OnLine Mad 2395<\/b><\/a>, decided on 17-5-2022]<\/p>\n

\n

Advocates before the Court:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For Petitioner: Mr G.Rajagopalan, Senior Advocate<\/p>\n

\u00a0For Mr Abhinav Parthasarathy<\/p>\n

Mr Satish Parasaran, Senior Advocate<\/p>\n

Mr S.Parthasarathy \u00a0Senior Advocate<\/p>\n

Mr V. Raghavachari<\/p>\n

For: Respondents<\/p>\n

For R1 & R2: Mr.R.Shanmuga Sundaram, Advocate General Assisted by M\/s.V.Yamuna Devi<\/p>\n

Special Government Pleader<\/p>\n

For R3: Mr R.Bharanidharan<\/p>\n

For R4: Mr P.Wilson, Senior Advocate<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Madras High Court: Expressing that, the right of worship guaranteed under the Constitution to be respected by all concerned and devotees cannot <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8808,"featured_media":267072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,10],"tags":[49469,32310,42669,29785,42834,42768,2647,42874,49470],"class_list":["post-267055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casebriefs","category-highcourts","tag-article-25-constitution-of-india","tag-devotees","tag-hinduism","tag-law","tag-legal-news","tag-legal-updates","tag-religion","tag-right-to-worship","tag-worshippers"],"yoast_head":"\nWhether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship | SCC Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SCC Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-05-19T04:30:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-05-27T05:09:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1332\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"889\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Bhumika Indulia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Bhumika Indulia\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/\",\"name\":\"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship | SCC Times\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-05-19T04:30:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-05-27T05:09:52+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/919ec47cc1b871b362af05740398033a\"},\"description\":\"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg\",\"width\":1332,\"height\":889},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"SCC Times\",\"description\":\"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/919ec47cc1b871b362af05740398033a\",\"name\":\"Bhumika Indulia\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Me-150x150.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Me-150x150.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Bhumika Indulia\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/editor_1\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship | SCC Times","description":"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship","og_description":"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion","og_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/","og_site_name":"SCC Times","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/","article_published_time":"2022-05-19T04:30:37+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-05-27T05:09:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1332,"height":889,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Bhumika Indulia","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Bhumika Indulia","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/","name":"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship | SCC Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg","datePublished":"2022-05-19T04:30:37+00:00","dateModified":"2022-05-27T05:09:52+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/919ec47cc1b871b362af05740398033a"},"description":"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg","width":1332,"height":889},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/19\/whether-constitutional-guarantee-of-freedom-of-religion-enshrined-in-art-251-of-the-constitution-of-india-extends-even-to-rites-and-ceremonies-associated-with-a-religion-madras-high-court-law-legal\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Whether constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Art. 25(1) of the Constitution of India extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion? Read what Madras HC says on Right to Worship"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/","name":"SCC Times","description":"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/919ec47cc1b871b362af05740398033a","name":"Bhumika Indulia","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Me-150x150.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Me-150x150.jpg","caption":"Bhumika Indulia"},"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/editor_1\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MadrasReligion.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":354784,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/28\/madras-hc-no-caste-based-ban-public-temple-access\/","url_meta":{"origin":267055,"position":0},"title":"\u2018No person or group can block access to public temples based on caste\u2019; Madras HC slams officials for closing Arulmigu Mariamman temple to avoid caste tensions","author":"Editor","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThe Constitution of India does not allow discrimination among devotees. God does not belong to any one caste. He does not discriminate. Only human beings do.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"No caste-based ban on public temple access","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/No-caste-based-ban-on-public-temple-access.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/No-caste-based-ban-on-public-temple-access.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/No-caste-based-ban-on-public-temple-access.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/No-caste-based-ban-on-public-temple-access.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":202513,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2018\/09\/28\/women-of-all-age-group-allowed-to-enter-sabarimala-temple-devotees-of-lord-ayyappa-do-not-constitute-separate-religious-denomination-sc\/","url_meta":{"origin":267055,"position":1},"title":"Women of all age-group allowed to enter Sabarimala Temple; devotees of Lord Ayyappa do not constitute separate religious denomination: SC [Full Judgment]","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"September 28, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"In the theatre of life, it seems, man has put the autograph and there is no space for a woman even to put her signature. There is inequality on the path of approach to understand the divinity. The dualism that persists in religion by glorifying and venerating women as goddesses\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":163404,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2017\/10\/13\/ban-entry-women-sabrimala-temple-matter-referred-constitution-bench\/","url_meta":{"origin":267055,"position":2},"title":"Ban on entry of women in Sabrimala Temple: Matter referred to Constitution bench","author":"Prachi Bhardwaj","date":"October 13, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Supreme Court: In the issue relating to ban of female devotees between the age group of 10 to 50 from entering the Sabrimala Temple of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala, the 3-judge bench of Dipak Misra, CJ and R. Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan, JJ referred the matter to a Constitution bench.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":369000,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/12\/06\/madras-hc-thengalai-sect-exclusive-ritual-rights-sri-devarajaswamy-temple-scc-times\/","url_meta":{"origin":267055,"position":3},"title":"Madras High Court reaffirms Thengalai sect’s exclusive ritual rights at Sri Devaraja Swamy Temple in Kancheepuram","author":"Ritu","date":"December 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cOnly the Southern Cult residents of Kancheepuram are entitled to Adhiapaka Mirasi. Northern Cult members may join only as ordinary worshippers.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sri Devarajaswamy Temple","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sri-Devarajaswamy-Temple.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sri-Devarajaswamy-Temple.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sri-Devarajaswamy-Temple.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sri-Devarajaswamy-Temple.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":293739,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/06\/03\/explained-allahabad-high-court-verdict-on-gyanvapi-mosque-case-legal-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":267055,"position":4},"title":"Explained| Allahabad High Court verdict on Gyanvapi Mosque case","author":"Apoorva","date":"June 3, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"In a suit instituted by the Hindu worshippers to secure their right to darshan and pooja of deities Virajman within the premises of the Gyanvapi Mosque Complex, the Allahabad High Court said that merely seeking right to worship Hindu deities does not change the Mosque's character into a Temple.","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"allahabad high court","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/allahabad-high-court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/allahabad-high-court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/allahabad-high-court.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/allahabad-high-court.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":375691,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/02\/16\/madras-hc-temple-on-govt-land-not-protected-under-places-of-worship-act\/","url_meta":{"origin":267055,"position":5},"title":"Temple built on encroached Government land not covered under Places of Worship Act: Madras High Court","author":"Soumya Yadav","date":"February 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cNeither the intention of the legislation nor any provision in the Places of Worship Act gives protection to a structure put up on Government land by encroaching.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Temple encroachment","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Temple-encroachment.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Temple-encroachment.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Temple-encroachment.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Temple-encroachment.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8808"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=267055"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267055\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/267072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=267055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=267055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=267055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}