The Kerala High Court has sought the response of the state government on a petition alleging that members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have been unlawfully occupying and conducting mass drills within the premises of Sree Rakthakanda Swamy Temple in Pathanamthitta.
The Bench
A division bench comprising Justices VG Arun and S Manu has issued a notice to the State in this regard.
Who filed the petitions?
The petition, filed by two devotees, contends that RSS members have been engaging in activities such as mass drills and hoisting flags without proper authorization within the temple grounds. It is asserted in the plea that RSS members have encroached upon the temple premises to carry out these activities daily from 5 pm to 12 am.
According to the petitioners, this unauthorized occupation has caused mental distress and disturbance to devotees, disrupting the peaceful ambiance of the temple with loud slogans during their mass drills.
The petition underscores that the temple falls under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board, which had previously issued directives prohibiting the use of temple premises for such unauthorized activities. However, these directives have not been effectively enforced, allowing the encroachment to persist.
The petitioners have previously communicated their grievances to the Sub Group Officer of the temple (Respondent 4) and filed a complaint with the Pathanamthitta Station House Officer (SHO), but have yet to receive a response.
Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate S Nikhil Sankar, stated a previous judgment of the Kerala High Court wherein it was clearly stated that “temple premises cannot be used for conducting mass drills or weaponry training by devotees or groups of individuals.”
Art 21
The counsel informed the court that the upcoming temple festival, scheduled from April 21 to April 30, could be disrupted due to the illegal occupation of the temple premises by RSS members. Hence, to safeguard the devotees’ right to worship under Article 21 of the Constitution, the concerned authorities, including the Travancore Devaswom Board, should be directed to ensure a peaceful and serene atmosphere at the temple and to prevent the illegal use of temple premises by RSS members.
