Non-Hindus will not be allowed beyond the Kodimaram

Boards will be put in place to indicate restriction

These restrictions would ensure communal harmony: Court

The Madras High Court asked the Tamil Nadu Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department that falls under the ambit of the Tamil Nadu Government to restrict the entry of non-Hindus inside the Palani temple in the Dindigul district and its other sub branches. Boards will be put in place to indicate that non-Hindus will not be allowed beyond the Kodimaram. 

This would however be applicable only to the Palani temple and not to all Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu. “The respondents are directed not to allow the non-Hindus who do not believe in Hindu religion. If any non-Hindu claims to visit a particular deity in the temple, then the respondents shall obtain an undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he has faith in the deity and he would follow the customs and practices of the Hindu religion and also abide by the temple customs and on such undertaking, the said non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple. The issue raised is a larger issue and the same ought to apply to all Hindu temples, hence the plea of the respondents is rejected. As stated supra, these restrictions would ensure communal harmony among different religions and ensure peace in the society,” the court observed.