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Taking note of the frequent allegations that Pujaris and Thiru Sudhanthirargal (freelance archakas) inside the Tiruchendur Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple use filthy and abusive languages against the devotees and other staff members, the Madras High Court Wednesday directed that the police officials must institute all appropriate actions against erring persons. 

The bench of Justice S.M.Subramaniam said, "The police personnel, temple staff, Pujaris and Thiru Sudhanthirargal are directed to treat the devotees with dignity and in the event of any quarrel by the devotees, the police personnel has to initiate appropriate action in the manner known to law."

Court also noted that "Thiru Sudhanthirargal committing illegality and misconduct or misbehaving inside the temple or in temple premises shall be prosecuted through the jurisdictional police. In the event of repeating the misconduct or offence, all appropriate actions are to be initiated to debar the persons from entering into the temple."

With a view to infuse further improvements in arrangements of the temple, Court also issued an array of directions. Court said, "VIP entry must be restricted only to the VIPs and to their family members, but not the relatives, and 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.

Court also directed that staff of various Government departments including Police Department, Revenue Department and HR & CE Department shall not be permitted to take special entry for special darshan and they shall be treated on par with all other devotees in general.

The Executive Officer of the temple has also been directed to keep adequate number of dustbins/garbage boxes both inside and outside the temple premises with adequate signboards. 

Stressing that temple premises must be maintained properly and cleaned regularly, Court directed for the number of toilets to be increased, if necessary, considering the crowd visiting the temple premises.

Furthermore, Court directed that the roads and streets falling under the control of the Trichendur Municipality are to be maintained by the Municipal Authorities cleanly and neatly and the garbage are to be removed on day-to-day basis. "The Joint Commissioner, Tiruchendur Municipality, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District shall conduct inspections regarding such maintenance of roads and streets reaching the temple premises", Court added. 

Lastly, Court directed the Joint Commissioner to arrange adequate drinking water units in the temple premises in strategical locations.

The repondent authorities have been asked to implement the above directions within a period of three weeks and a compliance report has been sought on April 18, 2022. 

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