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"God alone is VIP," said Madras High Court on Wednesday while directing the administration of the Tiruchendur Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple to ensure that special entry to VIPs does not result in infringement of the right of equality to the devotee/general public waiting for darshan.

Importantly, Court directed that Special Darshan “Abishega Kattalai” is to be provided only for 10 minutes and the crowd in front of the deity is also to be regulated in such a manner without causing any inconvenience to the devotees.

The bench of Justice S.M.Subramaniam said, "The devotees are worshiping the God on religious faith. Thus, there cannot be any discrimination amongst the devotees, as the VIPs are also attending the temple for darshan as devotee. God alone is VIP. If any VIP causes any inconvenience to the public devotees, then such VIP is committing religious sin, which will not be forgiven by the God."

Further, pointing out that the list of VIPs is already notified by the Government of Tamil Nadu and the said list of VIPs must be maintained by the temple administration, Court observed,

"There can be no argument that some people deserve special darshan. However, such treatment is reserved only for the special offices which the persons holding, but not for the individual per se...Certain special privileges shall not come in the way of equality of the citizens."

It was raised before the Court by the Additional Advocate General and other counsels appearing for the parties to the case that VIP darshan creates a lot of hindrance to the general public on many occasions, therefore, Court found it appropriate to pass further orders to improve the temple activities for the benefit of the people at large and the devotees who all are visiting the temple.

Court noted, "People are frustrated with VIP culture more specifically in closed premises like temple, as the devotees are made to suffer on account of special darshan to VIPs and other important persons. People are lamenting and in fact cursing."

Accordingly. Court made it clear that "VIP entry must be restricted only to the VIPs and to their family members, but not the relatives. The VIPs may be accompanied by the security guards deputed along (with) them."

"However, it is made clear that staff members and other departmental personnel may not be allowed to have special darshan along with VIPs and they must be allowed to have darshan only through a paid queue or free darshan queue along with other devotees", Court added. 

Matter in brief

Court was hearing a plea filed by Seetharaman M who claimed to be a freelance Archaka in the temple. The executive officer of the temple had suspended Seetharaman and prevented him from performing pujas. During the course of the hearing in his plea, many other issues pertaining to temple activities came into light including the conduct of archakas, criminal acts in temple premises and the management of devotees. 

Therefore, the court suo motu impleaded the Director-General of Police on the issue of providing protection to the temple. Thereafter, Court issued a set of directions to control the crowd inside, outside and around the temple premises. 

A compliance report was sought in this regard on March 23 by the Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District. Taking note of the same, Court issued additional directions for better management of the temple activities. 

Case Title: Seetharamam M v. The Commissioner, HR & CE Department, Nungambakkam & Ors.