PARMESWARAN NAMBOOTHIRI Vs. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS Writ Petition is filed challenging Ext.P-3, a circular issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board to put up notice boards in temples as follows: <IMG>JUDGEMENT_212_ILR(KER)1_2012Image1.jpg</IMG>

(2.) THE objection taken is that the said circular gives the impression that Santhikars are insisting on payment of dakshina. It also, allegedly, contains an innuendo to the effect that dakshina which the devotee intends to offer to the priest ought to be put in the Hundies since the circular provides for a statement in the board to be put up that all amounts which a devotee wants to offer shall be deposited in the Hundies.

(3.) TAKING all relevant facts and circumstances into consideration and to exclude any confusion in that regard, it is hereby directed that the 2nd sentence in the portion crafted to be the notice shall be amended by the TDB authorities by inserting the words between the words and This will exclude any controversy or the assumed disrespect by the exhibition of the board. It is further ordered that such board shall not contain any further caption and it is clarified that the words while describing subject of the circular, are not intended to be exhibited, but, it is only an indication to the Devaswom Officers to obtain proper collection of amount under due receipts, wherever offerings are involved, for which payment is prescribed for vazhipadus. The Officers will stand advised by the force of this judgment that there is no restriction whatsoever for the Santhikars receiving dakshina and no officer shall inhibit, on the basis of the impugned circular, the receipt of dakshina by the Santhikars as may be offered by the devotees. The Writ Petition is ordered accordingly.