RANGARAJAN NARASIMHAN Vs. ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner, appearing in person, seeking the following relief:

(2.) The petitioner, appearing in person, submitted that a direction be issued on the third respondent to put up necessary visible sign boards mandating the dress code (distinct sanathana dharma mark on the forehead of male/female devotees; dhothi/phyjama-kurta for men folk and saree/half-saree/salwar kameez for women folk) and fully covered cloths for children; and, to put in place the checks and balances to ensure that any person entering the temple is a believer of sanathana dharma.

(3.) He further submitted that as per the provisions of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 (for short, "the Act of 1959"), only a Hindu can enter the temple. But, in the absence of dress code, even persons of other religion are making entry into the temple. The prescription of dress code is necessary to maintain the sanctity of the temple. Therefore, a general direction be given to the respondents to put a sign boards in the temples requiring the dress code to be followed. The petitioner, appearing in person, has produced certain photographs to show that in the absence of dress code, the people are entering into the temple in different dresses.