image source, Getty Images
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In order to protect the purity and sanctity of the temples in Tamil Nadu, the Madurai branch of the Madras High Court on Friday ordered the Hindu Charities Department to ensure that the devotees visiting the temple should not use mobile phones in the temple premises and should wear decent clothes. The Department of Hindu Charities, which is in the process of implementing the cell phone ban, is yet to take a decision on the dress code, it has been revealed.
Speaking to BBC Tamil about the High Court’s decision, the officials of the charity department said that they accept the decision and will set up centers to keep the cell phones of the devotees safe in the temples in Tamil Nadu.
The archakar Seetharaman of the Thiruchendur Subramania Swamy temple had filed a petition in the Madurai branch of the High Court seeking a ban on the use of cell phones inside the Thiruchendur temple. A bench comprising Justices R. Mahadevan and J. Sathyanarayana Prasad heard his petition and ordered as follows.
“There is no dispute that under Article 25 of the Constitution, all persons have the right to practice and propagate their religion freely. But such freedom within the temple premises is subject to regulations. The Agamas lay down the rules regarding the rituals to be observed in the temple worship. Accordingly, the temple authorities should ensure that the dignity and sanctity of the temple is maintained. Therefore, the authorities concerned may restrict the use of cell phones and cameras inside the premises to divert the attention of devotees from the purpose of visiting the temple,” the judges said.
Also, “Cell phone ban has been successfully implemented in many temples in our country so as not to disturb the devotees. Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai and Sri Venkateswarar Temple in Tirupati are evidence of cell phone ban in action. Each of these temples has separate security counters for depositing cell phones. The same should be implemented in all temples,” the judges said in the order.
Visitors to the temple should also ensure that they wear ‘decent’ clothes.
Advocate M.C. appearing for the petitioner Sitharaman. Speaking to Swamy, the court said that both the restrictions should be implemented immediately.
“Already, we had asked for a ban on carrying cell phones in Tiruchendur Murugan temple like in Madurai temple. People taking pictures on cell phones are taking pictures of women without their permission. Cell phone ban is needed to ensure safety of not only temple sculptures but also women. Therefore, the judges have also said that the use of cell phones is prohibited and everyone, whether men or women, should wear decent clothes when coming to the temple,” he told BBC Tamil.
What is the position of devotees?
We spoke to the devotees about cell phone use being banned and dress code. Some say the cell phone ban is necessary and some say the ban is not necessary. Devotees also have mixed opinions about the dress code.
Speaking to Devi, a devotee of Mylapore Kapaleeswarar temple in Chennai, he said, “We welcome the ban on bringing cell phones to the temple. Taking pictures in the temple premises, singing movie songs, and some people taking pictures in various ways will be reduced. This ban will help you to visit the temple with true devotion and worship. During special pujas, there are more people taking pictures on cell phones than people worshiping Sami,” he says.
Talking about the dress code, he said, “For many years there has been a restriction in the Kuruvayur temple that only one can enter in the traditional dress of Kerala. Not sure if it is possible in all temples. When many young people come to the temple after work, the dress code prevents them from coming. “There is no mistake in accepting clothes suitable for this era in temples, not just sari and vedi,” he says.
image source, Ranganathan
Ranganathan, a devotee who goes to the Tiruvallikeni Parthasarathi temple, says banning cell phone use does more harm than good. “If it is decided that there should be no use of cell phones, it should be ensured that not only the devotees but also the priests should not have cell phones. In some temples the priests take video in the sanctum sanctorum. They pray while talking on cell phones. It is not right that devotees take selfies and no one should use sanctum sanctorum instead of restricting video taking. Ranganathan says that cell phones are the cause of problems in some temples.
There are many benefits of using a cell phone. As many young people make videos of temple history, inscriptions, etc., we can see the temples in many towns. If we go to a temple, cell phones also help us to sing songs for that temple,” says Ranganathan.
Devotees of Tiruvottiyur Temple – Revathi and her sister Arunabai. “We are daily visitors to Thiruvottiyur temple. If someone’s cell phone rings while worshiping in a temple, everyone’s attention is focused on the ringtone. Cell phone ban is good. Similarly, it is acceptable to wear a pant-shirt. It is not possible for everyone to wear sari and dhoti in this era,” they say.
Revathi, Arunabai and others in Thiruvotiyur temple.
What does the Hindu Charities Department say?
When asked about the setting up of cell phone counters, officials of the Hindu Charitable Department told BBC Tamil, “Recently, a meeting was held in our department headed by the minister to control the use of cell phones in temples. At present the counter is functioning successfully in Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Similarly, 48 major temples in Tamil Nadu and 150 temples with the highest number of devotees have been identified and steps will be taken to set up cell phone counters there soon. There is no problem in following this order of the High Court,” they said.
image source, HRCE
Officials said that due to the use of cell phones, some people are taking selfies in temples and taking videos of the idol, “It is very difficult to control the taking of selfies by the visitors to the temple. When the puja is done, they take a video of the moolah. We have stopped at many places. But setting a counter like this can control it. Similarly, CCTV should be installed at cell phone counters. It will further ensure security,” they told BBC Tamil.
When asked about the dress code, he said, “We will fully follow the order on the use of cell phones by judges. A consultative meeting in our department should be decided on what the judges said about ‘decent’ dress. We can’t give any immediate conclusion on this. So we can’t talk about it now,” they said.
“Both constraints are unnecessary.”
Speaking to BBC Tamil about the restrictions ordered by the court, social activist Renuka says both the restrictions are unnecessary.
image source, Renuka
Social activist Renuka
“Our society is becoming an advanced society day by day. Technology has greatly changed our lives. It was because of the presence of cell phones that incidents of sexual violence and theft in temples came to light. When talking about dress, the judges say the word ‘decent’. Decent means different things to different people. Some people call jeans and t-shirts decent. Some people say that saree and dhoti are all that is needed. So, both these views are not acceptable,” says Renuka.
He said that the cell phone is a useful tool to know about the art in the temple and said, “Many young people are posting vlogs of the glory of our temple through cell phone videos. This ban will prevent the search for our culture. In the sculptures in our temple we see them wearing different clothes. “Similarly, in today’s era, why should each of us ban different kinds of clothing,” he questions.
What are Agamas? What is their importance in temples?
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