New Delhi: Former Supreme Court Judge Indu Malhotra stirred up a hornets' nest alleging in a viral video that communist governments take over Hindu temples for the revenue from them.
Malhotra was referring to the dispute about administration of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Kerala.
A bench of Chief Justice of India UU Lalit and Justice Indu Malhotra herself in 2020 had upheld the rights of the erstwhile family of Travancore in the temple's administration.
Justice Malhotra was seen saying "That is what happens with these communist governments. They just want to take over because of the revenue. Their problem is the revenue. All over, they have taken over only Hindu temples. So, Justice Lalit and I said no, we will not allow it."
The court had set aside the Kerala High Court's 2011 judgment directing the state government to take control of the temple's assets and its management.
The video shows Malhotra speaking to a group of people and one lady was heard saying "we feel proud of you". Malhotra thanked the lady.