See: Temples, Non-Hindu and Courts

See: Temples, Non-Hindu and Courts

| Video Credit: Thamodharan B

Soon after MK Stalin’s government assumed the helm of governance in Tamil Nadu in mid-2021, HRD and CE Minister PK Sekarbabu had announced that the department would open 10 colleges. These institutions were to be established on lands owned by temples in different parts of the state. The HR&CE Department had earlier established five Arts and Science Colleges. The move was largely welcomed but it became controversial after advertisements were released for the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in these institutions. The advertisement states that the candidate must be a Hindu.

Objecting to this clause, Suhail, a Muslim candidate who had applied for the post of office assistant at Arulmighu Kapaleswarar Arts and Science College, Chennai, approached the Madras High Court.

Last month, the High Court dismissed her plea and said only Hindus can be appointed to teaching and non-teaching vacancies in self-financed colleges and schools set up from temple funds by the HRD and CE department.

The government argued that allowing non-Hindus to enter some parts of the temple would not affect the sanctity of the temple. As a result, the court held that the rule allowing non-Hindus inside the temple was very contrary to the power of the rule-making authority.

Now whatever the law says, the reality is that Tamil Nadu is a shining example of inter-religious harmony.

Screenplay and Presentation: D Suresh Kumar

Video: Thamodharan B

Produced by: Shibu Narayan