American Christian who embraced Hinduism can't be denied temple entry: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that an American Christian woman who embraced Hinduism cannot be denied the rights available to a Hindu woman devotee merely because of her name or nationality. [Laura Frances Iyengar v. TN HR and CE Department]

Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy passed the order while allowing a plea filed by Laura Frances Iyengar, who had challenged a communication of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department describing her as an “American Christian woman” and restricting her access to Sri Arulmighu Abishta Varatharajaperumal Temple at Karappankadu in Thanjavur district.

“Merely because the petitioner bears the name ‘Laura Frances’ or holds American citizenship, she cannot be denied recognition as a Hindu when her conduct and belief unequivocally establish her adherence to Hinduism,” the Court said.

The petitioner told the Court that she was an American citizen who had been attracted to Hinduism and had been professing the faith for several years. She said she had undertaken pilgrimages to several Hindu temples across India and had consistently described herself as Hindu even in official records, including visa applications.

She later married Varadha Balaji Venkadakrishnan, a Hindu, and the marriage was solemnised at the same temple on September 17, 2023. Her husband’s grandfather had also served as trustee of the temple.

However, when she recently visited the temple, some local persons objected to her entry on the assumption that she did not belong to the Hindu faith. After her husband wrote to the authorities seeking permission for her to freely enter the temple and worship, the communication was issued.

The HR&CE Department submitted that since the petitioner was an American citizen, she was presumed to be Christian. It also said that she had not been completely prevented from entering the temple, but was only advised to remain in the outer precincts after some devotees raised objections.

Rejecting this reasoning, the Court said,

“Hinduism is a faith that has historically been inclusive and accommodating...Unlike certain other religions, it does not prescribe any mandatory formal ceremony of conversion or issuance of any certificate as a condition precedent for acceptance into the faith."

The Court found that the materials placed before it showed that Iyengar had consistently identified herself as Hindu and had conducted herself in a manner establishing her acceptance and practice of Hinduism.

It, therefore, declared the HR&CE Department’s order illegal to the extent that it described her as an American Christian woman.

The Court directed the authorities not to deny her any right available to a Hindu woman devotee in any temple, including Sri Arulmighu Abishta Varatharajaperumal Temple, subject to the customs, usages, Agamas and regulations governing such temple.

At the same time, the Court clarified,

“Equally, the petitioner shall not claim any special privilege or right not otherwise available to any other Hindu woman devotee."

Advocate Sunny Sheen Akkara appeared for the petitioner.

Standing Counsel P Rajagopalan appeared for the HR&CE Department.

[Read Judgment]