Play Only Devotional Songs And Not Movie Songs In Temple Precincts During Festivals: Madras High Court
A temple devotee complained that movie songs were being played during temple festivals which was inappropriate.
Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, Madras High Court
The Madras High Court ruled that only devotional songs should be played within the premises of Hindu temples, prohibiting the playing of non-devotional music such as movie songs.
The Court was addressing a petition filed by a temple devotee from Puducherry, who raised concerns about orchestras arranged at the Veezhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Tirumalairayan Pattinam. He complained that movie songs were being played during temple festivals, which he argued was inappropriate within the temple's sacred space.
The government authorities assured the Court that they would ensure only devotional songs are played within the temple premises.
A Bench of Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy noting the undertaking said, "During any temple festival, if orchestra is arranged on behalf of the Temple authorities (or) on behalf of devotees and the same is done within the precincts of the temple, care must be taken to render only devotional songs and not non-devotional songs."
The petitioner, Venkatesh Sowrirajan, represented himself in court, while Additional Government Pleader R. Sreedhar appeared for the Respondents.
Furthermore, the Court addressed a separate issue raised by the petitioner regarding the prolonged vacancy of trustees for the temple. The Court added, “As far as the appointment of trustees is concerned, it is settled law that the authorities cannot be keeping the temple without appointment of Trustees for a long period. Therefore, the authorities shall take steps for appointment of the trustees as expeditiously as possible in the manner known to law in respect of the said temple.”
Cause Title: Venkatesh Sowrirajan v. Union Territory of Puducherry & Ors.
