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Two renowned scholars, well-versed in Tamil and Sanskrit appeared before the court requesting to appear as impleaders in the matter. The scholars wish to give their inputs in the matter. 

The Madras High Court has deferred the hearing in plea by All India Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Seva Sangam challenging the mandate of a 'certificates course' in Agama Sastras for being eligible to be appointed as Archakar (Priest) in temples within the State of Tamil Nadu by a fortnight.

The matter was listed before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P.D.Audikesavalu listed the matter after two weeks. A petitioner S. Sridharan appearing in person in a related plea urged the court to grant him time to file an additional affidavit in light of the fresh development in the matter.

Also, two renowned scholars & well-versed in Tamil and Sanskrit appeared before the court requesting to appear as impleaders in the matter. The scholars wish to give their inputs in the matter. 

The Court allowing S.Sridharan to file a supplementary affidavit ordered that all the documents in his matter will be forwarded to all the respondents in the present petition filed by All India Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Seva Sangam. 

Earlier Developments

All India Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Seva Sangam approached the Madras High Court contending that to insist upon the completion course by 38 temples within the State would “eliminate” the Sivachariyars. The plea has averred that this mandate favours a few who are keen on destroying and wiping out prevailing customs.

On the last date of hearing, the Court had ordered that all matters pertaining to the appointment of Archakas to be placed before the First Division Bench of the court. 

It has been stated that the terms Iyer or Brahmin are often interchangeably misused to denote Sivachariyar. 

In an affidavit filed, basic secretary of the petitioner affiliation, B.S. Muthukumar has said that the affiliation had about 1,500 members and the prime object of the affiliation was to espouse the reason for Sivachariyar/Gurukal performing puja in Saivite temples.

“Those who are experienced in Agamas do not undergo any certificate course. Instead, they obtain Diksha (initiation) from the Guru of their sect at a very early age and undergo rigorous Vedic education for a minimum period of three years. Thereafter, they are groomed to perform puja and homam for another three to five years before taking over as Archakar,” the affidavit reads.

(Case Title: All India Adi Salva Sivacharyargal Seva Sangam Vs. State of Tamilnadu And 2 Others.)