The Madras High Court recently ruled that only Hindus could be appointed in educational institutions established with funds of temples administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Departments. Why did it say so?

Soon after the M K Stalin government took over the reins in Tamil Nadu in mid-2021, the HR&CE Minister P K Sekarbabu had announced that the department will start 10 colleges. These institutions were to be established on lands owned by temples in different parts of the state. The HR&CE Department had previously established five arts and science colleges. This move was largely welcomed but a controversy broke out when advertisements were issued for appointing teaching and non-teaching staff to these institutions. The advertisements said the candidates must be Hindus.

Objecting to this clause, Suhail a Muslim candidate, who had applied for the post of Office Assistant in Arulmighu Kapaleeswarar Arts and Science College in Chennai, moved the Madras High Court.

Last month, the High Court dismissed his petition and held that only Hindus can be appointed to teaching and non-teaching vacancies in self-financing colleges and schools established with temple funds by the HR&CE Department.

The Government had argued that sanctity of the temple is in no way affected by allowing non-Hindus into certain portions of the temple. Consequently, the court held that the rule permitting non-Hindus inside temples is ultra vires of the powers of the rule-making authority.

Now irrespective of what the law says, the reality is Tamil Nadu has shining examples of inter-religious harmony.

Script and Presentation: D Suresh Kumar
Video: Thamodharan B
Production: Shibu Narayan

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