The Madras High Court recently observed that only devotional songs should be played within the premises of Hindu temples, excluding other types of music, such as movie songs.
In his ruling on February 24, Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy noted that the counsel representing the relevant government authorities had also committed to ensuring that only devotional songs would be played within temple premises.
"During any temple festival, if orchestra is arranged on behalf of the Temple authorities (or) on behalf of devotees and the same is done within the precincts of the temple, care must be taken to render only devotional songs and not non-devotional songs."
The Court was hearing a plea filed by Venkatesh Sowrirajan, a temple devotee from Puducherry, who raised concerns about orchestras at the Veezhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Tirumalairayan Pattinam playing movie songs. He argued that such songs were inappropriate within the temple premises.
Additionally, he highlighted that the temple had been without trustees for a long time.
Taking note of the situation, the Court criticized the lack of proper administration and directed the authorities to take immediate corrective measures.
"It is settled law that the authorities cannot be keeping the temple without appointment of Trustees for a long period. Therefore, the authorities shall take steps for appointment of the trustees as expeditiously as possible in the manner known to law in respect of the said temple," the Court said.
The petitioner, Venkatesh Sowrirajan, appeared as party-in-person.
Additional Government Pleader R Sreedhar represented the Puducherry government and other authorities.
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