UNNIKRISHNAN Vs. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The question mooted is whether 'Tables and Chairs' can be provided in the Oottupura/Mess Hall of the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple for serving 'Prathal prasadam' [after offering the 'Prathal' to the Deity] or whether it has to be taken by the devotees irrespective of their age, physical condition or ailments by sitting on the floor, from the plantain leaves placed on the floor.

(2.) While considering the above main question, several incidental questions get popped up, which also require to be answered and they are:

(3.) Complaints were preferred by several devotees and others before the Ombudsman appointed by this Court as to the difficulties experienced by them in participating the 'Prathal prasadam' in the Oottupura, especially the aged and ailing and the immediate necessity to provide Tables and Chairs in the Oottupura for taking 'prathal prasadam'. The aforesaid complaints, along with some other complaints dealing with the misconducts of some of the Devaswom employees and such other aspects were considered by the Ombudsman, who conducted a personal visit to the Temple to ascertain the facts and figures. It was thereafter, that TDB report No. 118 of 2015 dtd. 31/7/2015 was submitted before this Court suggesting various remedial measures. Pursuant to the said report, DBP No. 118 of 2015 came to be registered by this Court 'suo motu' and notice was ordered to the complainants on 4/1/2015, also making some observations as to the necessity to favourably consider the suggestions for providing benches and desks of appropriate quality for consuming the 'Prathal prasadam' and to mitigate the difficulties in this regard.