Devotees come to worship, not see leaders: Kerala HC bans political flex boards in temples

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ruled that flex boards praising or congratulating the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) are not allowed in temples, as devotees visit these places to worship God, not to view the faces of political leaders or Board members.

This decision came from a bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and Muralee Krishna S, during a hearing of a petition filed by the court itself, based on a complaint regarding a flex board displayed at the Thuravoor Mahakshetram (temple) near Cherthala in Alappuzha district.

The board, which featured photographs of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, State Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, TDB President, and the local MLA, congratulated the LDF and TDB for allowing 'annadanam' (food offering) for Sabarimala pilgrims during the ongoing Mandalakala-Makaravilakku season. 

Expressing displeasure over the incident, the bench said, "These kinds of activities cannot be permitted. Do not be under the impression that you (TDB) are the owner of the temples. The Board is a trustee which manages the temples under it." The court emphasised that temples are places for spiritual reflection, not for displaying political figures.

The bench also highlighted that the Thuravoor temple serves as an 'edathavalam' (rest stop) for Sabarimala pilgrims during the pilgrimage season and that it is the responsibility of the TDB to provide facilities for the devotees there.

The court also said that setting up such flex boards was "not the job of the temple advisory committee" and the money received from devotees was not to be used for this purpose. The court asked the TDB and other relevant authorities to clarify their stance on this matter.

It also instructed the TDB to confirm whether similar flex boards had been put up in other temples, including those under its management.

Agency