The Madras High Court has pitched into the practice of 'VIP Darshan' and observed that the same must not infringe the rights of other citizens/ devotees under any circumstances.

The single-judge bench of Justice SM Subramaniam while adjudicating upon a matter pertaining to the functioning of Tiruchendur Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple noted that temple administration is responsible for ensuring that 'VIP Darshan' doesn't become an inconvenience for 'Public Darshan'. 

"VIP special darshan, at no circumstances, be caused infringement of the right of the citizen in general. Therefore, this Court thought fit that further orders are required to improve the temple activities for the benefit of the people at large and the devotees who all are visiting the temple. In view of the fact that the temple administration and the Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District, have coordinated and cooperating for effective implementation of the orders of this Court, this Court thought fit that further improvements in arrangements are essentially required for the benefit of the general public visiting the temple."

It went on to note that there can be no argument that some people deserve special darshan. However, such treatment is reserved only for the special offices which the persons holding, but not for the individual per se. 

"In most developed countries, the State protects only few at the top position, that is, constitutional dignitaries and the rest is to manage its securities. Certain special privileges shall not come in the way of equality of the citizens."

The Court mentioned that people are frustrated with VIP culture more specifically in closed premises like temple to the effect that they are in fact cursing, as the devotees are made to suffer on account of special darshan to VIPs and other important persons.

"The temple administration is duty bound to ensure that VIP darshan is provided without causing any inconvenience to the public darshan. The list of VIPs is already notified by the Government of Tamil Nadu and the said list of VIPs must be maintained by the temple administration."

The Court ordered that special entry to VIPs should not result in infringement of the right of equality to the devotee/general public waiting for darshan. 

"IP entry must be restricted only to the VIPs and to their family members, but not the relatives. The VIPs may be accompanied by the security guards deputed along them. However, it is made clear that staff members and other departmental personnel may not be allowed to have special darshan along with VIPs and they must be allowed to have darshan only through paid queue or free darshan queue along with other devotees."

The practice prevailing in the subject temple is that VIPs, their relatives, various Government department staffs, even various department staffs are permitted to sit longer time in front of the deity thereby, depriving the devotees/general public from getting public darshan. The entire system now being in practice must be abolished forthwith and all such persons must be allowed to have darshan either through paid queue or through the queue maintained for free darshan, the Court noted.

"The devotees are worshiping the God on religious faith. Thus, there cannot be any discrimination amongst the devotees, as the VIPs are also attending the temple for darshan as devotee. God alone is VIP. If any VIP causes any inconvenience to the public devotees, then such VIP is committing religious sin, which will not be forgiven by the God. Thus, the conscious of the VIPs plays a pivotal role, while causing such inconvenience to the general public more specifically in Temples, Churches and Mosques. Therefore, the list of VIPs notified by the Government of Tamil Nadu, Government of India and other State Governments across the country must be maintained by the temple administration and the protocol provided for such VIPs alone are to be allowed by the temple administration and not in respect of any other."

The Court asked the Temple Authorities to cut-short the timings of the VIP Darshan to only for 10 minutes and to regulate the crowd in front of the deity in such a manner that it won't cause any inconvenience to the devotees.

It also made clear that the staff of various Government departments including Police Department, Revenue Department and HR & CE Department shall not be permitted to take special entry for special darshan and they shall be treated on par with all other devotees in general.

Noting that temple premises in entirety must be maintained properly and cleaned regularly, the Executive Officer was directed to keep adequate number of dustbins/garbage boxes both inside and outside the temple premises with adequate sign boards.

Read Order Here:

 

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