Madras HC directs Varadharaja Perumal temple authorities to appoint trustees promptly; Warns against playing non-devotional songs inside temple

Madras High Court: In the writ petition, the a devotee from Puducherry sought a direction to the Commissioner of the Hindu Religious Institutions Department and the Executive Officer of Shri Veezhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple, to refrain from conducting or granting permission for any events within the temple premises that involve the singing of cinema songs, dancing to such songs, or any non-religious or non-devotional activities on any day. Additionally, the petitioner requested the Court to direct the Commissioner to appoint trustees for the temple in accordance with the provisions of the Puducherry Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1972. The matter was heard by D. Bharatha Chakravarthy, J. , wherein he directed that during any temple festival, if orchestra is arranged on behalf of the Temple authorities are 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. Further, the Court directed the temple authorities to take necessary steps to appoint trustees for the temple as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with the procedure established by law.

The petitioner raised two primary grievances:

• The petitioner expressed concern regarding the orchestra that was arranged during the temple festival at Shri Veezhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple, located in Tirumalairayanpattinam, Puducherry. It was observed that, in addition to devotional songs, movie songs were also performed during the event. The petitioner contended that the inclusion of such songs, especially within the sacred premises of the temple, was inappropriate and detracted from the sanctity and devotional purpose of the occasion.

• The petitioner also highlighted that the Shri Veezhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple had been without proper administration by the designated Trustees for an extended period.

The respondents submitted that, regarding the orchestra, they would ensure that, as long as it takes place within the precincts of the temple, only devotional songs are performed, and no other songs will be sung. Regarding the appointment of trustees, they requested additional time to obtain instructions on the matter.

The Court disposed of the writ petition at the admission stage on the following terms:

1. In the event of an orchestra being arranged during any temple festival, either by the temple authorities or on behalf of the devotees, and conducted within the precincts of the temple, it is mandated that only devotional songs be performed, and non-devotional songs must be avoided.

2. With regard to the appointment of trustees, the Court reaffirmed that it is well-established law that authorities cannot keep a temple without appointed trustees for an extended period. Accordingly, the authorities were directed to take necessary steps to appoint trustees for the temple as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with the procedure established by law.

[Venkatesh Sowrirajan v. Union Territory of Puducherry, 2025 SCC OnLine Mad 1258, decided on 24-02-2025]

Advocates who appeared in this case:

For Petitioner : Mr.Venkatesh Sowrirajan Party-in-Person

For Respondents : Mr.R.Sreedhar, Additional Government Pleader