Police cannot insist on 'politically neutral' colours for temple festivals: Kerala HC
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday said the District Administration or the police cannot meddle with the power of the Travancore Devaswom Board in conducting Kaliyoottu temple festival as per its custom and rituals.
The Court was considering two writ petitions challenging the orders of the District Magistrate and the Police directing the use of only ‘politically neutral’ colours for decorations during the Kaliyoottu festival in Vellayani Bhadrakali Devi Temple.
The court also held that a worshipper or devotee has no legal right to insist on saffron/orange coloured decorations for festivals in a temple under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice P.G. Ajithkumar also said that the District Administration or the Police cannot insist only ‘politically neutral’ coloured decorative materials for temple festivals.
The counter affidavit filed by the Inspector of Police, Nemom Police Station cited disputes in the previous year between rival groups of devotees, supported by political parties, over putting up of arches, flags, decorations, and festoons.
The affidavit, as reported by Live Law, said that the District Magistrate directed the District Police Chief to remove all banners and festoons from public places as the dispute was about to affect the law and order situation and the temple festival.