Kerala High Court: You must have often seen saffron color on temples, but the controversy over saffron color in a temple in Kerala deepened so much that the High Court had to intervene. The Kerala High Court said in a decision that the police or the administration cannot insist on the color of the temples to be decorated during the festival. The court said that it is the duty of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to organize the festival as per the customs and practices. Let us understand what is the whole matter.
The controversy erupted after the Kerala Police ordered the authorities of Vellayani Bhadrakali temple in Thiruvananthapuram to remove the saffron colour. The temple was decorated for Bhadrakali festival. The police instructed that saffron color should be removed from the decoration and different colors should be used instead.
Temple administration accused the government
Temple officials termed it as an attempt by the ruling CPI(M) to destroy Hindu rituals and customs. Bhadrakali festival lasting 70 days started from Tuesday (14) February. At the same time, the police say that earlier there was a problem in the law and order situation during the program here, due to which the order was given to remove the saffron decorations from the temple.
Two petitions were filed in the Kerala High Court regarding the police order, which was heard by a division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajith Kumar. One petition was filed by the advisory committee of the temple, while the other petition was filed on behalf of a devotee.
Court gave instructions
After hearing the petitions, the court gave its verdict on Tuesday. In this, the court said, “Politics has no role in the conduct of daily worship, ceremonies and festivals in temples. The district administration or the police cannot insist that only ‘politically neutral’ colors are used for decoration on the temple. The district administration or the police cannot interfere in conducting the Kaliyuttu festival as per the customs and practices of the temple.”
The court further said in its order that if there is apprehension of any untoward incident in the temple premises or in the vicinity of the temple which may disturb the law and order situation, the TDB may inform the police and the District Magistrate should take appropriate steps. . The court directed the administration to ensure that the temporary structures put up during the event do not encroach on public roads.
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