Court is a secular institution: Kerala High Court advises judges not to take part in lawyers' religious event at Guruvayoor Temple

The Kerala High Court last week advised judges and other judicial officers in Thrissur district not to take part in organising Kodathi Vilakku (court lamp), an event that is hosted annually at the Guruvayoor Temple. .Kodathi vilakku is organised by a committee comprising members of the Chavakkad Munsiff Court Bar Association, among others.On a reference from the judge-in-charge of Thrissur District, Justice AK Jayasanharan Nambiar, the Court issued administrative directions advising judicial officers to refrain from actively engaging with the event, while emphasising that the Court is a secular institution and should not be seen taking part in any event that seems to promote any particular religion.An official memo to this effect was issued by the High Court Joint Registrar, M Hemalatha on November 1. "While there can be no objection to the members of the Bar Association organizing such events, either individually or collectively, the use of the name "Kodathi Vilakku, is unacceptable for it gives the impression that the courts in our State are in some way connected with the organization of the event....As secular democratic institutions under the Constitution, the courts cannot be seen engaging in activities that promote any particular religion," the memo said.The memo asked the Principal District Judge, Thrissur to communicate to all judicial officers in Thrissur judicial district that they are advised not to actively involve themselves in the organizing the event, either by consenting to be a part of the organizing committee or in any other manner."They shall also not feel compelled or obliged to attend the event," the memo underscored..The Court also took objection to the use of the name Kodathi Vilakku for the event since it can be misleading."The fact that judicial officers of all ranks, including those professing other religions, feel compelled/obliged to attend the annual event that is invariably attended by the High Court Judges as well, indicates the extent to which the term "Kodathi Vilakku" can be misleading," the memo stated.It, therefore, stated that steps are being explored to prevent the organisers of event from using the name Kodathi Vilakku for its annual event.