Madras High Court: Right to Freedom Cannot Affect Peace of Temple

The Madras High Court has ruled that an individual's right to freedom cannot disrupt the peace and sanctity of temple premises, particularly during religious festivals.

The bench rejected the argument of the Vadagalai sect (Northern cult), which argued that giving ceremonial rights to the southern cult would infringe their rights under Article 25 and 26.

The court emphasized that while fundamental rights are essential, they must be exercised responsibly without disturbing the tranquility of places of worship or interfering with others' religious practices.

The court noted that the order of the single judge, in effect, interfered with the rights granted by way of earlier litigation and set aside the same.

[PB Rajahamsam v. S Narayanan]