• Sign In/Sign Up
  • Menu
  • +Clients Back

    • Get Free Legal Answers
    • Get Fee Estimates
    • Find Lawyers
  • +Lawyers

    • Case Diary & Office Manager
    • Post News & Artilces
    • Post Jobs & Internships
  • +Law Students

    • Campus Ambassadors
    • Find Jobs & Internships
    • Post News & Articles
    • Resource Sharing
  • +Law Schools

    • Post Admissions
    • Post Opportunities
    • Get Law School Rating

  • Home
  • News/Articles
  • CHOICE WITH DEVOTEE

Latest News

Back

CHOICE WITH DEVOTEE

Courtesy/By: Shruti Saha  |  04 Sep 2021     Views:381

The Madras High Court on Friday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) petition which had raised a grievance that the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR &CE Department) was forcing Hindu temples to perform pujas in the Tamil language as well, instead of only Sanskrit (Rangarajan Narasimhan v. The Principal Secretary and anr).

A Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice PD Audikesavalu opined that the issue has already been settled in the 2008 High Court ruling of VS Sivakumar v. M Pitchai Battar.

The Court recalled that in the VS Sivakumar ruling, it had been concluded that there was nothing in the agamas or other religious scriptures to show that chanting of mantras in Tamil is prohibited. The bench observed that the Court also held that the choice was vested with the devotees to seek for archanas to be performed by their wishes by chanting the mantras in Tamil or Sanskrit.

The court ruled that the larger issue as to whether the mantras may be chanted through Tamil at the behest of the devotee apart from the practice of the temple in chanting such mantras in Sanskrit has been dealt with in the judgment of VS Sivakumar. Nothing that the petitioner cites would permit this court to take a contrary view than the one expressed in VS Sivakumar, if the petitioner requires a reassessment, it has to be taken to an altogether different level. The petitioner, Rangarajan Narasimhan, had contended that it has been a practice since time immemorial to perform the Temple archanas in Sanskrit. The Agama principles require the mantras to be done in a certain way, Narasimhan further argued. While so, it was submitted that the Tamil Nadu government and the HR&CE department had misused and abused their powers to force the Temples to chant the mantras in an alien language.

Being a secular country, the State cannot interfere in religion and religion cannot interfere in the State, he argued. He also highlighted that the Places of Worship Act requires that the religious nature of temples not be altered. Therefore, it was contended that the State's action, in this case, was ultra vires the Act as well. The Bench had initially been inclined to admit the case. However, after the ruling in VS Sivakumar was taken note of, it declined to entertain the matter further. In view of the VS Sivakumar ruling, Chief Justice Banerjee orally observed, (The) choice is with devotees to chant mantras in the language of their choice. Narasimhan responded that the issue here is whether the State government has any authority to interfere in religious practices. The Chief Justice remarked which another religious practice has been altered? We have to exclude the aspect of chanting mantras since it is already covered whereas Narasimhan asserted that the issue has not been covered, the Chief Justice was not convinced.

Narasimhan reiterated that the issue involved is whether such practice can be introduced by the government, he added that in this writ petition, I am not asking for any other relief. But it is been the practice of the HR&CE Department to interfere in various religious practices.

The Court, however, responded by remarking that it will not entertain vague allegations. The issue concerning chanting of mantras is no longer res integral, the Bench added. Chief Justice Banerjee said that What is permissible is a choice of devotee whether to chant the mantra in Tamil or in Sanskrit?

Narasimhan argued that it is no the choice of the devotee. It is the mandate of a religious requirement. It (VS Sivakumar ruling) does not question the authority of government. The practice is now introduced by govt. What is the authority of the government?

Opining that there has been no change in circumstances to revisit the issue, the Court, however, declined to admit the case. Whereas the petitioner had also relied on a 1998 ruling to advance his case that the mantras should be chanted in Sanskrit, the Bench opined that this judgment had been rendered in a case where the petitioner had insisted that mantras should be chanted in Tamil alone.

 


Document:


Courtesy/By: Shruti Saha  |  04 Sep 2021     Views:381

News Updates

Judging the Judges: India's Three-Year Practice Ru...
15 Jul 2025     Views:548
Alternative Dispute Resolution in Torts: A Modern ...
09 Nov 2024     Views:5102
The Legal Framework of Bail Conditions in India: B...
25 Oct 2024     Views:6274
Changing an Arbitrator Mid-Proceeding: Legal Frame...
23 Oct 2024     Views:5670
IMF Retains India's FY25 GDP Growth Forecast at 7%...
22 Oct 2024     Views:5652
The Evolving Landscape of Russian Anti-Suit Injunc...
22 Oct 2024     Views:5453
Hyundai’s IPO vs Competitors: How the Auto Giant...
15 Oct 2024     Views:5474
The Validity of Arbitration Agreements Post Decree...
14 Oct 2024     Views:5122
SEBI Issues Checklist for AIFs, Their Managers, an...
08 Oct 2024     Views:5486
The Siemens v. Russian Railroads Case...
07 Oct 2024     Views:5475
Empowering Minds in Confinement: Bombay HC’s Lan...
03 Oct 2024     Views:5599
The Dynamics of Novation in Contract Law and Its I...
02 Oct 2024     Views:5781
SEBI Establishes Consistent Evaluation Standards f...
01 Oct 2024     Views:5491
Landmark Decision by Austrian Supreme Court on Arb...
30 Sep 2024     Views:5453
Key Considerations for Indian Commercial Claims...
25 Sep 2024     Views:5405
Boom or Bust: Africa’s Oil Giants Face Declining...
23 Sep 2024     Views:5530
The Growing Role of Arbitration in Intellectual Pr...
23 Sep 2024     Views:5482
Supreme Court Greenlights Sub-Classification of SC...
20 Sep 2024     Views:5817
SEBI's Employee Grievances Prompt Formation of Wor...
19 Sep 2024     Views:5639
Environmental Law in India: Challenges and Opportu...
18 Sep 2024     Views:6492
Navigating the New Legal Landscape of Exclusive Ju...
16 Sep 2024     Views:5601
The Anatomy of Joint Venture Breakups in India (an...
31 Jul 2024     Views:5944
The Integration of ESG in India's M&A Landscape...
31 Jul 2024     Views:5846
Future of AI in Legal Systems and Conflict Resolut...
21 Jul 2024     Views:6030
World Health Assembly Revises International Health...
21 Jul 2024     Views:5881
Pokemon GO Fans Concerned Over Restrictive New Ter...
21 Jul 2024     Views:5993
Landmark Judgment on Setting Aside Arbitration Awa...
21 Jul 2024     Views:5783
Understanding the Process of Issuing Summons in In...
11 Jul 2023     Views:9202
Understanding the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)...
10 Jul 2023     Views:7721
Understanding the Mental Health Act in India: A St...
09 Jul 2023     Views:7760
Combating Manual Scavenging in India: A Call for S...
07 Jul 2023     Views:7544
Impleadment in Supreme Court of India: A Comprehen...
05 Jul 2023     Views:8532
Unraveling the Distinction: Culpable Homicide vs. ...
03 Jul 2023     Views:7857
Understanding the Difference between Money Bills a...
02 Jul 2023     Views:6386
Understanding the Civil Procedure Code in India: A...
01 Jul 2023     Views:7185
The Rights of Criminals in India: Upholding Justic...
30 Jun 2023     Views:6436
Exploring the Differences between the US and India...
29 Jun 2023     Views:6442
What to Do If the Police Refuse to Register Your F...
26 Jun 2023     Views:6700
Timeline of Environmental Protocols: A Global Effo...
25 Jun 2023     Views:6385
How to Deal with Cheque Bounce Cases in India...
24 Jun 2023     Views:6369
Pursuing a Lucrative Litigation Career in Indian L...
22 Jun 2023     Views:6414
Understanding the Emergency Provisions of India: S...
21 Jun 2023     Views:6390
Environment Legislation in India: A Comprehensive ...
20 Jun 2023     Views:6740
Understanding the Emergency Powers of the Constitu...
18 Jun 2023     Views:6228
Understanding the Emergency Powers of the Constitu...
17 Jun 2023     Views:6266
Timeline of Same-Sex Laws in India: A Journey Towa...
16 Jun 2023     Views:6714
Sir Creek Dispute and Legal Implications...
15 Jun 2023     Views:6918
Jurisprudence of NDPS Laws in India: A Comprehensi...
14 Jun 2023     Views:6493
Impleadment Proceedings: A Comprehensive Guide to ...
13 Jun 2023     Views:6927
Understanding Continuing Mandamus: A Powerful Judi...
12 Jun 2023     Views:8940
Res Judicata: The Doctrine of Finality in Legal Pr...
10 Jun 2023     Views:6918
Mastering the Art of Legal Drafting: A Comprehensi...
08 Jun 2023     Views:6579
Order 1 Rule 10 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CP...
07 Jun 2023     Views:12263
Understanding the Laws of War: Protecting Humanity...
03 Jun 2023     Views:6294
Understanding the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC...
02 Jun 2023     Views:7161
The National Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDP...
01 Jun 2023     Views:6730
A Step-by-Step Guide: How to File an FIR in India...
31 May 2023     Views:6442
Zero FIR: An Effective Tool for Prompt Criminal Ju...
30 May 2023     Views:6672
Unveiling the Dissent of Judges in Judicial Judgme...
28 May 2023     Views:6303
Environmental Laws in India: Safeguarding Nature f...
25 May 2023     Views:6759
The Recusal of Supreme Court of India Judges from ...
24 May 2023     Views:6422
Understanding the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Cour...
23 May 2023     Views:6864
Article 142 of the Constitution of India: A Compre...
22 May 2023     Views:7095
Landmark Judgments in Arbitration Law in India: A...
21 May 2023     Views:7326
Landmark Cases on Anticipatory Bail in India: A Pa...
20 May 2023     Views:11210
Embracing the Future: How AI is Revolutionizing th...
18 May 2023     Views:6514
Understanding Narcotics Laws in India: A Comprehen...
17 May 2023     Views:6391
Understanding Indian Laws on Cross-Border Transact...
16 May 2023     Views:7534
ADR mechanism of legal adjudication in India...
15 May 2023     Views:6233
Validity of foreign arbitral award in India throug...
14 May 2023     Views:6242
Scope of Section 151 CPC...
13 May 2023     Views:7835
Detailed Overview on Section 482 of Crpc...
11 May 2023     Views:6773
Scope of Decree under CPC...
10 May 2023     Views:6317
Legal development of Arbitration Laws in India....
09 May 2023     Views:6363
Arbitration Laws in India...
07 May 2023     Views:6314
Impact of COVID-19 on Legal Industry...
06 May 2023     Views:8413
Chargesheet not having authority's valid sanction ...
02 May 2023     Views:6600
Same-Sex Marriage in India...
30 Apr 2023     Views:6234
National Commission for Women...
27 Apr 2023     Views:6085
Law making process of India....
26 Apr 2023     Views:7178
Bail Provisions in India...
25 Apr 2023     Views:6109
Life imprisonment in Criminal Law in India...
24 Apr 2023     Views:6539
Contempt of Court...
23 Apr 2023     Views:6366
The collegium system of Judiciary in India....
22 Apr 2023     Views:6046
Remarriage before Expiry of Limitation Period to f...
21 Apr 2023     Views:6037
Need for strict measure of NDPS laws in India....
20 Apr 2023     Views:6207
Nature of Offence under Section 138 of NI Act is Q...
19 Apr 2023     Views:8653
Order VII Rule 11 CPC: Plaint cannot be rejected m...
18 Apr 2023     Views:7252
Mediation: At the Dawn of Golden Age organized at ...
16 Apr 2023     Views:6318
Central Government's motto should be mediate, not ...
15 Apr 2023     Views:6034
Ambedkar Jayanti Celebrations...
14 Apr 2023     Views:6253
Supreme Court of India calls for Preventive Measur...
12 Apr 2023     Views:5804
Pursuing LL.M is not break in Law Practice, Rules ...
11 Apr 2023     Views:6034
Law should take into consideration realities of co...
10 Apr 2023     Views:5860
Delhi High Court said that peeping into public bat...
08 Apr 2023     Views:6470
Delhi High Court denies bails to AAP's Satyendra J...
06 Apr 2023     Views:6590
Supreme Court’s Triple Talaq Judgement Would App...
30 Jan 2023     Views:6310
Article 311(1) | An Order of Removal From Service ...
26 Jan 2023     Views:6785
Leaders shouldn't disrespect the President or Pri...
17 Jan 2023     Views:6090
New bench will hear Ashwini Upadhyay's Supreme Cou...
15 Jan 2023     Views:6236
FIND A LAWYER




FIND A LAW SCHOOL



Most Read News Articles

  • Sabrimala Verdict (28 sept 2018) - A End of Taboo.
    On 07 Oct 2020    Views:96549
  • Case Analysis: Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India
    On 11 Dec 2020    Views:74140
  • Case Analysis: THE BERUBARI UNION CASE
    On 14 Dec 2020    Views:71552
  • DOCTRINE OF ELECTION UNDER TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT, 1882
    On 08 Jul 2020    Views:70691
  • A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (1950 AIR 27, 1950 SCR 88)
    On 08 Nov 2020    Views:60066
View all >>

Propertified Propertified Propertified Propertified Propertified Propertified Propertified Propertified Propertified

86540

Lawyers Network

103860

Users

630

Cities Serving

114

Law Schools Network

59824

Law Students Network

About us

  • Company Profile

Indian Major Laws

  • Indian Constitution
  • IPC
  • CrPC
  • CPC
  • Companies Act
  • Indian Evidence Act
  • CGST Act
  • Limitation Act

Policies

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation

    Ads & Media

  • Resource Sharing
  • Advertiser(Sign Up/Login)
  • Media

    Careers

  • Internships
  • Jobs
  • Student Journalists

    HELP & SUPPORT

  • Contact Us
  • Grievances
  • Test

News

  • Legal News
  • Post Article
  • Post Interview

Legal Library

  • Central Acts
  • Deeds Drafts [1128 ]
  • Legal Maxims

Connect

Lawsisto Direct

 

  •  
  •  
DISCLAIMER
Copyright © Lawsisto Private Limited. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all materials on these pages are copyrighted by Lawsisto Private Limited. All rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may
be used for any purpose. By continuing past this page, you agree to our Terms of Service, Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy and Content Policies.