Recently, the Madras High Court held that while appointing priest for a temple, the caste has no role to play.
Further, the court added that in temples governed by the Agama, the Trustees/Fit Person only have to ensure that the Archaka/Sthanikam to be appointed is well-versed and properly trained to perform the pooja as per the Agama.
“In the considered view of this Court, it is always left open to the Trustees/Fit Person to appoint Archakas/Sthanikam in Agamic temples (where there is no doubt on the Agama that governs the temple) by ensuring that the Archakas/Sthanikam are well-versed, properly trained and qualified to perform the pooja as per the requirements under the Agama. At the risk of repetition, it is made abundantly clear that the pedigree based on caste will have no role to play in the appointment of Archaka if the person so selected otherwise satisfies the requirements,” the court observed.
In the said matter, the bench of Madras High Court headed by Justice Anand Venkatesh made the above observations on a plea filed by Muthu Subramania Gurukkal challenging an advertisement issued by the Assistant Commissioner, HR&CE, and the Executive Officer of Sri Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple, calling for applications to fill up the position of Archakas/Sthanikam at Sri Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple, Salem.
The petitioner had insisted that priests should inherit the position. He had told the Court that the notification infringed upon his hereditary rights to hold the position of a priest as he had been serving in the temple as per customs and usages in the line of succession for years.
The High Court, however, noted that the top Court of India in its order held that the appointment of a temple priest was a secular function and, hence, there was no question of one claiming a hereditary right over such appointment.
The Court, accordingly, directed the EO to issue a fresh advertisement for appointing the archagar by following due procedure. The Court added that the petitioner is also permitted to participate in the selection process.
Senior Advocate R Singaravelan and advocate M Muruganantham appeared for the petitioner.
Special Government Pleader N RR Arun Natarajan appeared for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Department.
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