Tolerance is hallmark of Hinduism: Madras High Court allows two different sects to chant recitals in temple

The Madras High Court on Tuesday held that devotees cannot be denied their right to worship at any cost, and passed directions allowing both the Vadagalai and Thengalai sects to chant their recitals at the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Tamil Nadu [S Narayanan v State of Tamil Nadu]..Justice SM Subramaniam emphasised that tolerance is the hallmark of Hinduism and both sects should be allowed to do services to God instead of fighting over trivial issues. “Tolerance is the hall mark principle in Hinduism. Mutual understanding and respect and glorify the Lord alone will preserve the sanctity of the Temple activities and therefore, both the sects are expected to do services to Lord Sri Varadaraja Perumal instead of fighting on trivial issues of this nature”, the single-judge observed.The High Court was deciding a dispute between two sects arising from a notice by the temple’s executive trustee prohibiting the Vadagalai sect from chanting recitals at the temple. .Tolerance is the hall mark principle in Hinduism.Madras High Court .The petitioners claimed that the Vadagalai sect should be permitted to chant in light of their fundamental right of worship. They stated that they were not disrespecting the rights conferred on the Thengalai sect by virtue of customary practices, but were aggrieved when prevented from worshipping their guru.The respondent claimed that there was a decree from the year 1915 that entitled the Thengalai sect alone to recite at the temple..The judge noted that a religion may not lay down a code of ethical rules for its followers, but may prescribe rituals and ceremonies regarded as integral parts of a religion.“Therefore, the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion enshrined in Article 25(1) extends even to rites and ceremonies associated with a religion,” the Court held..In this regard, it was stated that the sentiments of both the Vadagalai and Thengalai have to be respected, and mutual respect between them was of paramount important.“Every devotee has got a right to enter into the Temple and worship Lord Sri Varadaraja Perumal in the way he likes without affecting the rights of other devotees / worshippers and temple activities,” the Court underscored. .Providing an opportunity to the Vadagalai sect would not deprive the Thengalai sect of its primacy as claimed by them by virtue of the 1910 decree, the judge said, allowing the Vadagalai community to chant their recitals. The following interim directions were passed in this regard:- The Thengalai sect shall be permitted to commence their initial recital namely Srisaila Dayapathram and thereafter, Vadagalai sect shall be permitted to chant initial recital namely Sri Ramanuja Dayapathram within 10 to 12 seconds each and thereafter, both the Thengalai sect, Vadagalai sect and ordinary devotees shall be permitted to jointly chant Naalayira Divya Prabandham in an uniformed manner without disrupting the rituals and poojas and without causing any inconvience or nuisance to the other devotees and worshippers, who all are present in the Temple.- On completion of chanting of Naalayira Divya Prabandham by Vadagalai sect, Thengalai sect and ordinary devotees, jointly the final ritual namely Vazhithirunamam may be firstly chanted by Thengalai sect i.e., “Manavalamamunigal Vaazhithirunamam” and thereafter, the Vadagalai sect shall be allowed to recite their concluding Mantra i.e., “Desikan Vazhi Thirunamam” and accordingly, the entire process of rituals shall be concluded..Justice Subramaniam directed the executive trustee to monitor the rituals and initiate appropriate action on any violation. A direction was passed to videograph the events, and produce them before the court along with a compliance report on May 25..Advocates Abhinav Parthasarathy and Tarun Rao Kallakuru appeared for the petitioner. [Read Order]