Madras High Court Pronounces Landmark Verdict: Caste Irrelevant in Appointment of Temple Priests

Tamil Nadu— In a groundbreaking judgment, the Madras High Court has unequivocally stated that caste will no longer play a role in the appointment of Archakas (temple priests). Justice N. Anand Venkatesh emphasized that the selection of a priest should be based on their proficiency, training, and qualifications to perform religious rituals and pujas according to the Agama Sastra applicable to the specific temple. The writ was filed by Muthu Subramania Gurukal regarding appointments at the Sri Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple in Salem, which follows the Karana Agama. The Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department and the Executive Officer of Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple were the respondents.

Meanwhile, miles away from Madras, in the state of Rajasthan, a heated controversy surrounds the appointment of non-Brahmin priests in temples under the jurisdiction of the Devasthan department. The Rajasthan government has recently appointed candidates who successfully passed a recruitment test, as priests in select temples, stirring debates and disagreements among various stakeholders. This ongoing dispute further highlights the contrasting approaches taken by different regions regarding temple priesthood appointments and adds another layer of complexity to the broader discussion on caste and inclusivity in religious institutions.

The Madras High Court referred to a previous Supreme Court ruling in the Seshammal & others versus State of Tamil Nadu case (1972), which established that the appointment of an Archaka is a secular function. It clarified that the performance of religious services by the priests is an integral part of the religion. The judgment highlighted the distinction between secular and religious functions, emphasizing that the prescriptions outlined in the Agamas are significant only for the performance of religious services.

Justice Venkatesh drew upon the 2002 Supreme Court verdict in N. Adithayan versus Travancore Devaswom Board, which negated the customary claim that only Brahmins or Malayali Brahmins could perform rituals. The apex court ruled that any trained individual qualified to conduct pujas in an appropriate manner could perform the rituals. The judge stated that traditionally, Brahmins may have exclusively conducted pujas in certain temples due to historical restrictions on others learning Vedic literature or gaining expertise in rituals.

Reiterating the principle that Archakas fall under the secular domain, Justice Venkatesh concurred with the Special Government Pleader's assertion that temple trustees or Fit Persons appointed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department can proceed with the appointment of Archakas in temples where the applicable Agama is not in question.

The judge acknowledged that all Archaka positions could not remain vacant until the committee formed by a Division Bench of the High Court, chaired by retired judge M. Chockalingam, identifies the Agamic and non-Agamic temples in the state. He noted that the committee's constitution had been challenged, and it had ceased functioning following an interim stay granted by the court in February of this year.

Therefore, Justice Venkatesh ruled that appointments could proceed in temples where Agamic practices were well-established. Considering the writ petition before him filed by Muthu Subramania Gurukal regarding appointments at the Sri Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple in Salem, which follows the Karana Agama, the judge authorized the appointments in that temple. He also allowed the petitioner to participate in the selection process. The petitioner, from a family of Sivachariyars, had been performing poojas for generations, and the position of Sthanikam was occupied as a hereditary right.

This landmark judgment by the Madras High Court marks a significant shift toward inclusivity and meritocracy in the selection of temple priests. It challenges the long-standing influence of caste in such appointments and paves the way for a more equal and diverse representation within religious institutions. The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for temple practices and promote social harmony by ensuring that individuals with the requisite qualifications and expertise can serve as Archakas, irrespective of their caste or background.

Rajasthan Controversy: Appointment of Non-Brahmin Priests Ignites Debate over Caste Representation

The recent appointment of non-Brahmin priests in temples under Rajasthan's Devasthan department has sparked a heated controversy. After a prolonged delay, the state government finally appointed candidates who had successfully passed the recruitment test as priests in selected temples. However, this move has faced strong objections from various quarters.

Out of the appointed candidates, 14 are from the general category, comprising 5 females and 9 males. Additionally, there are 5 males and 3 females from other backward classes, 1 male and 1 female priest from Scheduled Tribes, and 3 males and 1 female priest from Scheduled Castes.

These appointments have ignited debates about caste representation and traditions within Hindu Sanatan Dharma. Organizations such as the Pujari Parishad and Vipra Foundation have voiced their concerns, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the established caste-based systems in temple rituals.