8 months ago
SC Mediates Religious Disputes and Protests
The Supreme Court of India is trying to solve two big problems.
First, they appointed a former judge to help two groups, Thenkalai and Vadakalai, who have been fighting for 120 years over who can perform rituals at a temple in Kanchipuram.
Both groups agreed to talk it out instead of fighting in court.
Second, the court asked the Tamil Nadu government to explain what they are doing about people who made mean and unfair comments about a judge who allowed a religious ceremony.
The judge had said that lighting a lamp at a certain place wouldn't hurt a nearby religious site.
The court wants to make sure everyone follows the rules and respects each other.
Supreme Court appointed former judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul as mediator for a 120-year-old temple ritual dispute between Thenkalai and Vadakalai sects.
Both sects agreed to mediation to resolve the conflict over ritual recitals at Sri Devarajaswamy Temple in Kanchipuram.
The court directed the mediator to associate two more persons conversant in Tamil, Sanskrit, and temple rituals.
The Supreme Court sought the Tamil Nadu government's response on a plea for action against protestors making defamatory remarks against Justice G R Swaminathan.
The protestors allegedly made caste and religion-based remarks following the judge's order allowing a religious ceremony near a dargah.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Thenkalai and Vadakalai sects, Tamil Nadu government, protestors
- What
- SC appoints mediator for temple ritual dispute and seeks response on protestors' remarks
- Where
- New Delhi (Supreme Court), Kanchipuram and Madurai (Tamil Nadu)
- When
- January 28
- Why
- To resolve a 120-year-old religious dispute and address defamatory remarks against a judge
Key facts
- Dispute Location
- Sri Devarajaswamy Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
- Dispute Duration
- 120 years
- Mediator Appointed
- Former Judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul
- Sects Involved
- Thenkalai and Vadakalai
- High Court Verdict
- Upheld exclusive rights of Thenkalai sect for rituals
- Protest Issue
- Remarks against Justice G R Swaminathan
- Next Hearing Date
- March 13
Quotes
Chief Justice Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India
“Learned senior counsels have gracefully agreed to mediation so that the day-to-day rituals can be performed in an amicable manner. In this regard, we request Mr Sanjay Kishan Kaul, former judge of this court, who was the Chief Justice of Madras High Court also, to act as the principal mediator. Justice Kaul may associate two more persons of his choice who are well conversant in Tamil and Sanskrit languages, rituals and the religious history of the temple.”
theprint.in
Justice G R Swaminathan
Justice of the Madras High Court
“By lighting the lamp at Deepathoon, which is meant for that purpose, the structure of the Dargha is not in any way affected and the Dargha is located at a safe distance of not less than 50 metres away from the stone pillar.”
theprint.in
Sources
‘In Mahakal’s presence, nobody is VIP’: SC declines to entertain appeal challenging Madhya Pradesh HC against ‘VIP darshan’ at Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple
SC appoints ex-judge SK Kaul as mediator in 120-year-old TN temple ritual dispute
SC declines plea against VIP darshan at Mahakaleshwar temple
SC notice on plea seeking action on protestors for remarks against Justice Swaminathan
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