Madras High Court Eliminates Caste-Based Criteria, Emphasizes Qualifications for Temple Priests

The Madras High Court has made a significant order, stating that caste will no longer be a factor in the selection of priests for temples. The court emphasized that the primary requirement for a priest is their proficiency, training, and qualifications to perform religious ceremonies per the temple’s guidelines.

 

Justice N Anand Venkatesh delivered the verdict while resolving a petition filed in 2018 by Muthu Subramania Gurukkal, who challenged an advertisement issued by the Tamil Nadu Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) for the recruitment of priests at the Sri Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple in Salem district.

 

Referring to a 2016 Supreme Court judgment, the Madras High Court clarified that appointing a temple priest is a secular function and not a hereditary privilege.

 

The court highlighted that the act of conducting religious services is an integral part of the religion, whereas the appointment process itself falls under secular jurisdiction.

 

As the temple in question follows the Agamic tradition, the court directed the temple’s Executive Officer to release an advertisement aligning with the apex court’s observations.

 

Addressing additional concerns raised by the petitioner, the Madras High Court referred to a 2022 case involving the Travancore Devaswom Board, where the Supreme Court emphasized that it is unjustifiable to insist that only individuals from specific castes, such as Brahmins, can perform temple rituals.

 

The Madras High Court emphasized the apex court’s disapproval of caste-based qualifications for these roles. Accordingly, the court concluded that anyone, regardless of their caste or creed, can be appointed as a priest as long as they possess adequate knowledge and expertise in the relevant religious texts and rituals.

 

This ruling not only promotes a more inclusive and merit-based approach to priest appointments but also reaffirms the secular nature of the position, prioritizing qualifications and skills over hereditary rights and caste considerations.

 

 

For more updates keep visiting our website www.topstoriesworld.com   where we provide unbiased, true and top stories of the world.