our considered opinion, when a public festival like the Kumababishegam of a temple is performed, it will be impossible for the authorities to check the religious identity of every devotee for the purpose of permitting his entry into the temple. That apart, if a person belonging to another religion, has faith in a particular Hindu deity, that cannot be prevented nor can his entry into a temple be prohibited. It is common knowledge that the devotional songs of Dr.K.J.Yesudas, a Christian by birth, rendered on various Hindu Gods are played without any demur in temples. In fact, in Nagore Dargah and Vailankanni Church, scores of Hindus worship. 5. Therefore, this Court refrains from taking a very parochial view and instead, prefers to approach the issue from a broader perspective. 6. In the result, this writ petition is dismissed as being devoid of merits. No costs. Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No [P.N.P., J.] [R.H., J.] 04.07.2022 pkn To: 1.The Secretary, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009. 2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034. 3.The District Collector, Kanyakumari District at Nagercoil. 4.The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Headquarters, Kanyakumari District Temples, Susindram, Kanyakumari District. P.N.PRAKASH , J. and R.HEMALATHA , J. pkn W.P.(MD) No.14081 of 2022 04.07.2022

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 04.07.2022
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.N.PRAKASH and
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE R.HEMALATHA
W.P.(MD) No.14081 of 2022
C.Soman
-vs-
1.The Secretary,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment
Department,
Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009.
2.The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment
Department,
Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034.
3.The District Collector,
Kanyakumari District at Nagercoil.
4.The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer,
Headquarters,
Kanyakumari District Temples, … Petitioner
Susindram, Kanyakumari District. … Respondents
PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents not to permit the Non-Hindus to enter the temple premises during Kumbabishegam festival in the Arulmighu Adikesava Perumal Thirukovil at Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari District and subsequent event scheduled on 06.07.2022.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Murugapandi
For Respondents : Mr.Veera Kathiravan, Addl. Advocate General
Mr.M.Lingadurai, Spl. Government Pleader for R1 to R3
Mr.K.Sathiya Singh for R4
O R D E R
(Made by P.N.PRAKASH, J.)
Seeking a direction that the non-Hindus should not be permitted to participate in the Kumbabishegam festival of Arulmighu Adikesava Perumal Thirukovil at Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari District, the present public interest litigation has been filed.
2. Heard Mr.Veera Kathiravan, learned Additional Advocate
General, assisted by Mr.M.Lingadurai, learned Special Government Pleader and Mr.K.Sathiya Singh, learned counsel for the fourth respondent.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner brought to the notice of this Court an invitation for the conduct of Kumbabishegam festival, wherein, the name of an Hon’ble Minister, who is said to be a Christian, finds a place.
4. In our considered opinion, when a public festival like the Kumababishegam of a temple is performed, it will be impossible for the authorities to check the religious identity of every devotee for the purpose of permitting his entry into the temple. That apart, if a person belonging to another religion, has faith in a particular Hindu deity, that cannot be prevented nor can his entry into a temple be prohibited. It is common knowledge that the devotional songs of Dr.K.J.Yesudas, a Christian by birth, rendered on various Hindu Gods are played without any demur in temples. In fact, in Nagore Dargah and Vailankanni Church, scores of Hindus worship.
5. Therefore, this Court refrains from taking a very parochial view and instead, prefers to approach the issue from a broader perspective.
6. In the result, this writ petition is dismissed as being devoid of merits. No costs.

Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No [P.N.P., J.] [R.H., J.]
04.07.2022

pkn
To:
1.The Secretary,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment
Department,
Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009.
2.The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment
Department,
Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034.
3.The District Collector,
Kanyakumari District at Nagercoil.
4.The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer,
Headquarters,
Kanyakumari District Temples,
Susindram, Kanyakumari District.
P.N.PRAKASH , J. and R.HEMALATHA , J. pkn W.P.(MD) No.14081 of 2022
04.07.2022