The Kerala High Court ruled that the appointment of santhis (temple priests) cannot be restricted to a specific caste or ancestry. Such caste-based or lineage restrictions do not qualify as essential religious practices under the Constitution of India.
The Kerala High Court criticized the Travancore Devaswom Board and state police for granting VIP treatment to actor Dileep during his visit to Sabarimala, questioning the privileges he received at the expense of other devotees. The court directed measures for equitable access to darshan for all, especially vulnerable individuals, during the festival.
The Supreme Court today has sought a response from the Kerala government regarding the requirement for the Melshanthi (high priest) position at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple to be filled by a Malayala Brahmin. This requirement is being challenged as a violation of constitutional rights, arguing that the selection should not be restricted to a specific community. The case is scheduled for further hearing on October 25.
The Kerala High Court rejected the plea of a 10-year-old girl from Bengaluru seeking permission to visit Sabarimala Temple. The court stated that since the matter is pending before the Supreme Court, the petitioner cannot invoke the writ jurisdiction of the High Court. The girl’s plea was based on her prepubescent status, but it was ultimately dismissed.