The Madras High Court has ruled that non-Hindus seeking entry into Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu must affirm their faith in the presiding deity and agree to follow Hindu religious practices and temple customs.

In an order passed on October 30, a bench of Justices GR Swaminathan and P. Murugan said temple authorities must obtain an undertaking from non-Hindu visitors before allowing them entry.

“If any non-Hindu claims to visit a particular deity in the temple, then the respondents shall obtain an undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he is having faith in the deity and he would follow the customs and practices of the Hindu religion and also abide by the Temple customs and on such undertaking the said non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple,” the court said.

The bench criticised what it described as “Chamchagiri” and “optics” in matters concerning temple entry. It stressed that established temple customs and practices should not be compromised for such considerations.

“We hold that usages and customs of the temple cannot kneel before such display of Chamchagiri and optics,” the court said.

The bench also said the matter required a clear judicial ruling. “That is why, we deem it necessary to render an authoritative pronouncement,” it added.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Thangam Venkatesh of Madurai. The petitioner sought directions to prevent non-Hindus from entering temple mandapams and moving beyond the flagstaff. The plea also called for strict enforcement of existing temple-entry rules.