The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu government to prohibit the use of mobile phones and cameras in temples across the State to maintain the "purity and sanctity" of temples.

Justice R Mahadevan and Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad of the HC bench here gave the direction to the State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Department on Friday while hearing public interest litigation (PIL).

Petitioner M Seetharaman sought a direction to the authorities concerned to take effective measures to prohibit the possession and usage of android cellphones inside the premises of Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Tiruchendur in Tuticorin district in the State. It is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga.

The petitioner had said that the temple hosts thousands of devotees and visitors every day and the temple authorities therefore, had to make adequate safety arrangements. He said that most devotees take pictures and make videos from inside the temple premises, photographing the idols and other valuables kept in the temple, and also click photos of other devotees without their consent. This could prove to be a major security concern, the petitioner said.

He pointed out that several other temples in the State, including the famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai do not permit devotees to carry their phones or cameras inside the temple premises.

"There cannot be any dispute that under Article 25 of the Constitution, all persons are entitled to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. However, such freedom to act and practise can be subject to regulations, inside the premises of the temple. The Agamas prescribe the rules regarding the rituals to be followed in the worship services at the temple. According to the same, the temple authorities should ensure that decency of worship and the sanctity of temple is maintained. Therefore, the usage of mobile phones and cameras inside the premises, which diverts the attention of the devotees from the purpose of visiting the temple, can be regulated by the authorities concerned," the Court said.

The bench pointed out that a ban on mobile phones has been introduced and successfully implemented in Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayur (Kerala), Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai and Sri Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. There are separate security counters in each of these temples to deposit mobile phone before entering the premises, it said. 

Image source: Live law