VISHNU SUNIL PANTHALAM Vs. KADAKKAL TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who is a devotee of Kadakkal Devi Temple, which is a temple under the management of the 2nd respondent Travancore Devaswom Board, has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus restraining the 1st respondent Temple Advisory Committee of Kadakkal Devi Temple, the 2nd respondent Travancore Devaswom Board and its Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, namely, respondents 3 and 4, from using the premises of Kadakkal Devi Temple for the promotion, endorsement or facilitation of any political party or for political activities and to ensure that the temple remains solely dedicated to religious and cultural activities; and a declaration that the 1st respondent Temple Advisory Committee of Kadakkal Devi Temple and the 2nd respondent Travancore Devaswom Board shall not misuse the premises of Kadakkal Devi Temple for any purpose other than religious and spiritual activities, ensuring that the sanctity and traditional character of the temple are preserved.

(2.) Going by the averments in the writ petition, on 10/3/2025, during the annual festival of Kadakkal Devi Temple for the year 1200ME (2025), one singer named Aloshy performed political songs and displayed flags of a political party in the background, which were inappropriate for the occasion and deeply hurt the sentiments of the devotees. The said singer, who was invited by the 1st respondent Temple Advisory Committee, sang political songs, namely, 'Pushpane Ariyamo', 'Nooru Nooru Pookkale' and 'DYFI zindabad'. The 1st respondent Temple Advisory Committee, influenced by political interests, granted approval for such performances. The 2nd respondent Travancore Devaswom Board failed to take any action to ensure that the temple premises is not used for the propaganda of political parties. The actions of respondents 1 and 2 have caused emotional disruptions to the devotees, violating the sanctity of the temple festival.

(3.) On 18/3/2025, when this writ petition came up for consideration, we viewed in open Court Ext.P2 video footage of the program held on 10/3/2025, in connection with the annual festival of Kadakkal Devi Temple for the year 1200ME (2025), in which one singer named Aloshy performed political songs and displayed flags of DYFI in the background of the stage.