Action against man accused of ‘insulting’ Thulasithara ordered by Kerala HC

Kochi: The state police was directed by the Kerala High Court to take "appropriate action in accordance with law" against a man who is accused of "insulting the Thulasithara," a raised platform in front of Hindu homes that contains the revered tulsi plant.

While reviewing the bail application of Alappuzha native Sreeraj R A, 32, the bench of Justice P V Kunhikrishnan issued the police the order. Sreeraj was taken into custody on charges of posting a video in which Abdul Hakeem was "insulting the Thulasithara,".

Sreeraj was charged by the temple police station in Guruvayoor, Thrissur, for inciting religious animosity and creating nuisance. The court did, however, grant him bail and strongly objected to the police acting against him while Abdul Hakeem was still free.

“The Thulasithara is a sacred place as far as Hindu religion is concerned. In the video, it can be seen that the above Abdul Hakeem plucked hairs from his private parts and putting it in the ‘Thulasithara’. It will definitely infringe the sentiments of Hindu religions. It seems that no case is registered against Abdul Hakeem. It seems that he is the owner of a hotel in the premises of Guruvayoor Temple,” the court said, according to the Indian Express.

It added: “Even now that hotel is functioning, in which it seems that the person who committed the mischief is continuing as the owner and license holder. He even has a driving license. Such a person is set free by the police without registering a case and the petitioner herein is arrested and put behind the bar.”

The prosecution stated that Hakeem was a troubled man, but the judge dismissed the claim, questioning how he could still act out of the premises of the temple. “If he is a mental patient, how he is allowed to drive the vehicle is also a matter to be investigated by the Investigating Officer,” the court said, as quoted by the Indian Express.