The Kerala High Court banned vloggers from recording videos inside the Guruvayur Temple after a petition raised concerns about inappropriate behaviour. The petition pointed out videos showing a woman cutting a birthday cake and arguing with devotees in the temple’s nadapanthal area. The court also issued a notice to the woman involved in the incident.
The Kerala High Court recently instructed the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee and its administrator to prohibit videography in the nadapanthal of the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, except for weddings and religious ceremonies.
This decision came after a petition highlighted videos showing a woman cutting a birthday cake and engaging in a dispute with devotees in the nadapanthal.
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The bench, comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajithkumar, emphasized that the temple is designated as a ‘Special Security Zone’ under the Kerala Police Act. The Court directed the Managing Committee to prevent any activities, including unauthorized filming, that might disturb devotees.
The Court’s order stated,
“We deem it appropriate to direct the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee and the Administrator to take necessary steps to ensure that videography, other than that in connection with marriage functions and other religious ceremonies, is not permitted in the Nadapanthal of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. The videography by vloggers, by following celebrities, shall not be permitted in the Nadapanthal.”
Additionally, the Court ruled that videography of the temple’s interior areas, particularly through the eastern ‘Deepastambham,’ is prohibited. The Court also issued a notice to the woman involved in the cake-cutting incident.
The Kerala High Court further emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee to ensure no activities at the temple disturb devotees, particularly children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
In addition to directing the temple authorities to utilize the security wing of Guruvayur Devaswom for maintaining order, the Court noted that police assistance could be sought if needed.
It stated,
“If found necessary, the additional 5th respondent Administrator shall seek police assistance, by making a written request before the 3rd respondent Station House Officer, in which event, the police shall render necessary assistance.”
The Court’s order in response to a petition filed by two devotees, seeking action against a woman for allegedly violating the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act of 1965 and its corresponding rules. The petitioners claimed that the woman, who has a significant social media following, filmed multiple videos at the temple, including one showing her cutting a birthday cake and engaging in a dispute with devotees in the nadapanthal.
The petitioners also referenced the Guruvayur Devaswom Act of 1978, which mandates the managing committee to uphold the performance of religious rites and ceremonies according to established traditions and customs.
While reviewing the petition, the Kerala High Court noted that the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee is legally obligated to manage the temple and its properties with “utmost care and caution,” ensuring that no individual interferes with the worshippers’ rights, particularly in the nadapanthal.
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The Court emphasized that every devotee has the right to worship in an “accustomed manner,” in accordance with the temple’s traditions and practices, and the managing committee must ensure appropriate facilities are in place for this purpose.
Addressing the woman’s behavior in the video, the Court remarked,
“No person can be permitted to pick up a quarrel with the devotees in the Nadapanthal, as seen from Ext.P5 video. Similarly, the Nadapanthal of a temple is not a place for cutting birthday cake.”
As a result, the Court issued a notice to the woman, and the case is scheduled for further hearing on October 18.
The petitioners represented by advocates R Krishna Raj, R Pratheesh (Aranmula), ES Soni, Sreeraja V, and Laxmi Priyaa N.