Madurai, Sept 16:
An appeal has been filed before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking permission to conduct rituals in Tamil during the consecration ceremonies of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai.
The appeal was filed by Theiva Tamil worship teacher T Suresh Babu, who has sought permission to conduct rituals using Tamil mantras and Thirumurai hymns alongside the Sanskrit rituals during the events preceding and following the temple’s consecration.
Suresh Babu had earlier made the request to the temple administration, but it was rejected on March 11. His subsequent writ petition was dismissed by a single judge on September 3 on the ground that a related matter was pending before the Supreme Court. He has now approached the Division Bench seeking to set aside that order.
In the appeal, he has contended that the Agamas and religious texts do not prohibit the recitation of mantras in Tamil and alleged that the earlier ruling had not adequately considered an existing Madras High Court judgment on the issue.
He has also argued that allowing Othuvars to sing Thevaram hymns separately would not amount to equal recognition for Tamil and sought permission to conduct Tamil rituals at the yaga kundams themselves. The petitioner further alleged discrimination on linguistic and caste grounds, a claim that will be considered as part of the legal proceedings.
The appeal is expected to come up before a Division Bench for hearing. The consecration of the Meenakshi Amman Temple is scheduled for September 17.