HC frowns at widow being denied entry into temple
Chennai (PTI): The Madras High Court has said 'dogma' like preventing entry of a widow into a temple cannot happen in a civilised society governed by law and made it clear that a woman, by herself has an identity.
It observed it is quite unfortunate that archaic beliefs like that of a widowed woman entering a temple causing impurity to the shrine continue to prevail in the State.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh made the observation in his order dated August 4 while disposing of a petition filed by Thangamani. She sought a direction to the police to provide protection to her and her son in order to enter the Periyakaruparayan temple situated at Nambiyur Taluk in Erode District.
She wanted to participate in the two-day temple festival on August 9 and had given a representation in this connection last month.
The case of the petitioner was her deceased husband used to be the 'Poojari' (priest) of the said temple. During the ongoing Tamil 'Aadi' month, the temple committee decided to conduct a festival on August 9 and 10, 2023.
The petitioner and her son wanted to participate in the festival and offer worship. Two persons-- Aiyavu and Murali seemed to have threatened her stating she should not enter the temple since she is a widow.
Hence, she made a representation to the authorities to give police protection and since there was no response, she moved the HC.
The judge said though reformers are attempting to break such senseless beliefs, it continues to be practiced in some villages.
These are the dogmas and the rules framed by man to suit his convenience and it actually demeans a woman just because she has lost her husband. All this can never continue in a civilised society, which is governed by rule of law. If any such attempt is made by anyone to stop a widow from entering the temple, action must be taken against them in accordance with law, the judge added.
The court said a woman, by herself, has a status and identity and that cannot in any way come down or be taken away depending upon her marital status. In view of the same, Aiyavu and Murali do not have any right to stop the petitioner and her son from attending the festival and worshipping God, the judge added.
The court directed the Inspector of Police, Siruvalur Police Station, to inform Aiyavu and Murali they cannot stop Thangamani and her son from entering the temple and attending the festival.
If they attempt to create a law and order problem, action shall be taken against them immediately. The Inspector of Police shall ensure that the petitioner and her son participate in the festival both on August 9 and 10, 2023, the judge added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP workers protest Bengaluru event on Umar Khalid, taken into preventive custody
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP workers, led by former Bengaluru Mayor M Gautham Kumar, staged a protest outside the heavily fortified BIC in the city on Tuesday ahead of an event.
The editors of the book “Umar Khalid and His World” have planned a reading of excerpts from the book at the venue, followed by a discussion involving several “historians and intellectuals”.
The BJP activists raised slogans demanding the cancellation of the event. They attempted to enter the venue by breaking through the barricades put up by the police.
Police personnel deployed at the spot took the BJP workers into preventive custody.
ALSO READ: Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates Gems and Jewellery Institute campus in Udupi
The party had on Monday petitioned Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh seeking cancellation of the event organised in support of activist Umar Khalid.
A delegation of BJP leaders led by Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan met the commissioner and submitted a memorandum in this regard.
Khalid is currently in jail in connection with allegations of conspiracy in the 2020 Delhi riots.
In a post on ‘X’ earlier in the day, the Karnataka BJP alleged that while courts are still hearing cases related to anti-national activities, the Congress-backed ecosystem is busy glorifying individuals who aim to divide Bharat.
“Why is Bengaluru being turned into a hub for celebrating such elements? Is this the ‘cultural contribution’ the Siddaramaiah government wants to promote? Our city is a land of innovators and patriots, not a playground for the ‘Tukde Tukde’ (divisive) narrative,” it alleged.
The Supreme Court on April 20 dismissed Khalid’s plea seeking review of a verdict denying him bail, observing that there are reasonable grounds to believe the allegations against him in connection with the conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots.
The court had earlier said there was a prima facie case against Khalid and Sharjeel Imam (another accused) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), noting that prosecution material suggests their involvement in the “planning, mobilisation, and strategic direction” of the riots.
The February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi broke out during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), leaving 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.
