SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, has filed this report regarding the steps to be taken to ensure fairness, transparency and also adherence to the prescribed guidelines for the interview of candidates to be shortlisted for selection of Melsanthies of Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and Malikappuram Temple, for the year 1199 ME (2023-24).

(2.) Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, which is situated inside Periyar Tiger Reserve, is a prominent pilgrim centre in Kerala, where lakhs of devotees trek the rugged terrains of Western Ghats to have darshan of Lord Ayyappa. Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and Malikappuram Temple come under the Travancore Devaswom Board. By reason of the custom and tradition, Melsanthies of the Temples are selected every year. The tenure of the Melsanthies is for one year from the 1 st of Vrischikam to the 31st of Thulam next year.

(3.) In Mohandas Embranthiri v. Travancore Devaswom Board [2001 (1) KLT 203], in the context of selection of Melsanthi of Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, a Division Bench of this Court held that the Travancore Devaswom Board, being a State under Article 12 of the Constitution of India, cannot choose any person as Melsanthi without any guidelines. For every year, the choosing of Melsanthi has to be done only after proper selection. The Division Bench noticed that the notification issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board inviting applications for the selection of Melsanthi of Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, for one year starting from 31st Thulam, 1176, mentions the basic qualifications necessary for being selected and that, those who have got basic qualifications will be interviewed by the Committee, which will include the Thanthri. On the basis of the interview, a short list will be prepared. The selection will be made from the candidates included in the short list on the basis of lot in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The Interview Board should consist of persons, who have knowledge of the subject on which questions are put. The Division Bench noticed that the purpose of the interview is to get best persons for appointment of Melsanthi at Sabarimala Temple. The knowledge of the candidates in the three topics should be assessed, which can be done with the experts in the field.