Vadakalai and Tenkalai points are ticklish, delicate, and unending, says Madras High Court

Observing that the disputes between the Vadakalai and Tenkalai sects of Vaishnavites are “ticklish, delicate, and a unending drawback,” the Madras High Court has dismissed two writ petitions, which insisted on embossing the Vadakalai Namam (identification mark) on the silver kavacham (protecting overlaying) affixed on the kulasekarapadi (a stone step that results in the sanctum sanctorum) at Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram district.

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh stated it was “not a match case” the place the courtroom might train its discretion below Article 226 (writ jurisdiction) of the Constitution. He additionally stated the courtroom couldn’t go into disputed questions of reality whereas exercising its writ jurisdiction, and that the events must strategy solely the civil courtroom with the intention to set up their claims by adducing oral in addition to documentary proof.

The orders have been handed on writ petitions filed by Vadakalai Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya Sabha and a person named T.E. Srinivasan in 2016. The petitioners had challenged a Government Order (G.O.) issued by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) division on July 7, 2015, refusing to emboss the Vadakalai Namam on the kavacham since it could create an “pointless controversy.”

The choose identified in 2011 {that a} donor named Ok.P. Viswanath had introduced the silver kavacham to be affixed on the kulasekarapadi of the Devarajaswamy Temple. The kavacham was initially embossed with Adiseshan/Nagam (a serpent) between the sangu (conch) and chakram (wheel), which characterize Lord Vishnu/Perumal.

However, when a few of the devotees insisted that the Adiseshan get replaced with the Vadakalai Namam, the HR&CE Commissioner turned down their request on April 20, 2012. Though a evaluation was most well-liked towards the Commissioner’s choice, the State authorities too confirmed his order on July 7, 2015, to keep away from pointless controversies and therefore, the current writ petitions have been filed.

Justice Venkatesh stated although the writ petitioners had claimed that the unique kulasekarapadi manufactured from stone had been embossed with the Vadakalai Namam and therefore, its kavacham too ought to comprise the identical depiction, such a declare had been disputed by the contesting respondents who had alleged that the Vadakalai Namam was unauthorisedly painted on the silver kavacham to make the declare.

“This courtroom, whereas exercising its discretion below Article 226 of the Constitution, can’t get into the disputed questions of reality… The choice taken by respondents 1 (HR&CE Secretary) and a pair of (HR&CE Commissioner) doesn’t endure from any illegality warranting the interference of this courtroom. Such a choice is taken to keep away from any additional controversy. This just isn’t a match case for this courtroom to intrude,” the choose concluded.