M. KARTHIKEYAN Vs. V. VIDYAVATHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard all the parties including the Stakeholders and perused the materials placed before us.

(2.) The present Interim Application has been filed by the Petitioner claiming himself to be an ardent Devotee undertaking pilgrimage to various Temples across the State and the Country and well conversant with the issue on hand. According to the Petitioner, the State of Tamil Nadu is a sacred land blessed with centuries old numerous, wonderful, architectural and culturally rich Temples and stands testimony to our ancient history and hoary tradition. The rulers of this land recognized the importance of Temples by constructing new ones, besides renovating the old structures. However, these heritage structures have been neglected to be maintained by the present day Authorities. The Temples, which were once beacon of the Tamil culture, have now been ignored. The Petitioner further stated that the HR & CE Department, which is the custodian of these Temples, has not carried out its duty properly and effectively leading to damage and destruction of many Temples. It is also stated by the Petitioner that some of the Temples are completely dilapidated and have been taken over by nature and some are on the verge of collapse; yet, no steps have been taken by the HR & CE Department to preserve our heritage and historical Temples. The Petitioner further submitted that the Temples' tanks are not at all properly maintained and cleaned and the water has become unclean and is not fit to be used in the Temples. The non-maintenance of Temples' tanks shows the poor state of affairs by the Authorities. Vegetations in the Temple structures and premises have grown because of improper maintenance resulting in damage to the structures. Pointing out all these aspects, the Petitioner suggested that in order to prevent such decay and to address the said issues, the Devotees/ public in groups be permitted to carry out Uzhavarapani to clean the Temples and their tanks and remove the vegetations in the Temple structures, which will also help for their restoration. In this regard, he made various Representations, lastly on 29/1/2024, to the Respondents seeking permission to conduct Uzhavarapanigal in various Temples across the State, but the same are pending without any consideration. Stating that the HR & CE Department has not taken any steps to address the issue of neglect and non-maintenance of the Temples and has not facilitated the conduct of Uzhavarapanigal by the Devotees/public and the same is in violation of the directions issued by this Court vide Order, dtd. 7/6/2021 passed in Director, Archaeological Survey of India, Suo Motu W.P. No.574 of 2015, the Petitioner preferred the Contempt Petition and the present Application seeking appropriate direction to the Respondent-Authorities in this regard.

(3.) Hinduism, as coined by the British and known today, is an assortion of different cults with Polytheistic concept. Ancient scripts reveal that Buddhism and Jainism are also offshoots of Hinduism, with several common history and legendary stories. The classification of six different cults, as it was known then as "Shanmadham", founded by Adi Shankara comprised worshippers of intrinsically connected six different Deities and the cults were known as Shaivam (Lord Shiva), Vaishnavam (Lord Vishnu), Shaaktham (Goddess Sakthi), Gaanaapathyam (Lord Ganesha), Kaumaram (Lord Skanda or Kumara) and Souryam (Sun as God). The Polytheistic concept imbibes the democratic and secular principles as they are called today.