Latest news with #Vaishnavites
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Vaishnavite' does not refer to brahmins alone, says Madras HC
Chennai: The term 'Vaishnavite' is not confined to just brahmins but carries a broader meaning, said , turning down a plea to permit only Hindu Vaishnavite brahmins to participate in an auction for temple shops. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Clarifying that all devotees who worship Lord Perumal fall under the category of Vaishnavites and that no discrimination should be made on basis of community, Justice N Anand Venkatesh rejected a petition by L Ravi, who insisted that only a Hindu Vaishnavite brahmin should be permitted to participate in the auction to run the 'prasadha kadai' (temple prasadam shop) inside Arulmigu Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram. "The relief sought virtually amounts to perpetuating the caste system, which does not augur well for a true Vaishnavite. There will be no compromise on the ritual practices/agamas and also the experience of preparing prasadham in a Vaishnavite temple earlier for five years. If that is ensured, it does not matter whether the participant belongs to a brahmin community," said Justice Anand Venkatesh. Therefore, the court does not find any ground to interfere with the relevant clause contained in the auction notice, and the temple authorities can proceed further with the auction and finalise the same in favour of the highest bidder, the court said. According to the petitioner, there was a specific condition imposed in the earlier auction notice to the effect that only a Hindu Vaishnavite brahmin could participate in the tender for the prasadha kadai, whereas this vital condition has been removed in the present notice dated July 31. In the present notice, it has been stated that the participant must comply with the ritual practices of the temple, comply with the agamas, and must have prepared prasadam in a Vaishnavite temple with five years of experience. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What is missing are the words 'Hindu Vaishnavite brahmin,' the petitioner said. "The only right that has been claimed by the petitioner is that this practice has been followed for a long time and, therefore, it has to be continued," said the court. Opposing the plea, the temple authorities contended that insofar as madapalli (temple kitchen) is attached to the same for the purpose of preparing prasadam for the deities, the rituals and agamas are strictly followed. However, the present case involves a prasadha kadai where there is no such requirement that only a Hindu Vaishnavite brahmin must participate in the auction.
New Indian Express
13-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Madras HC bins plea to allow one sect to operate stall in temple
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition praying for orders to the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to ensure that the contract for running the 'prasadham kadai', which sells edible sacred offerings, at the renowned Devarajaswamy temple in Chinna Kancheepuram is given only to men belonging to the Vaishnavite Brahmin community. Justice N Anand Venkatesh observed that Vaishnavites are a sect worshipping Lord Perumal and they do not constitute a specific caste. The petition, filed by L Ravi of West Mambalam in Chennai, prayed for the court to quash the auction notice dated July 31, 2025 issued by the HR&CE department, and conduct the auction for awarding tender for the 'prasadham kadai' as per the conditions contained in the original auction notices dated June 3 and July 4. The auction notice dated July 31, 2025 had revised the tender condition and fixed the eligibility criteria as experience of five years in preparing 'prasadham' in a Vaishnavite temple and running the 'prasadham kadai'. Justice N Anand Venkatesh, who heard the submission of special government pleader NRR Arun Natarajan, found no violation in the clauses of the tender notice dated July 31. Natarajan added that the tender cannot be awarded solely based on a particular community, and noted that the Madurai Bench of the high court had held that a particular sect cannot be given the rights for preparing the 'prasadham'. July 31 notice altered tender condition: Petitioner The petitioner had said that the July 31 notice that altered the tender condition was nothing but 'a colourable exercise of power' and it was against the 'principles of natural justice and fair play'. The clause is also against the custom and practice followed in the temple for past 22 years of allowing only Vaishnavite Brahmins to take part in the tender process, the petitioner had contended.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Politicians believe they are kings': HC slams TN police over closing complaints against Ponmudi
Political leaders wrongly believe they are the kings who can do no wrong, the Madras high court remarked on Tuesday as it criticised former Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudi for 'misusing' free speech and questioned the state police's decision to close over 120 complaints against the DMK leader for his alleged vulgar comments about women, and Hindu sects Shaivites and Vaishnavites. The HC uestioned the state police's decision to close over 120 complaints against the DMK leader for his alleged vulgar comments about women, and Hindu sects Shaivites and Vaishnavites. (File photo) A single bench of justice P Velmurugan reminded Ponmudi, who had to resign from the cabinet on April 27 following the outrage over his remarks, that politicians were not above the law. The court also decided to keep pending its suo motu proceedings against the leader. 'Nowadays, all politicians, all persons making public speeches think Article 19 gives them absolute only sky is the limit. Court cannot simply be a silent spectator. There are reasonable restrictions. There are several sects, religious (public figures) should think about it, when they are in public life,' the judge remarked. '…A strong message should go. So many things are being said, as if they (politicians) are the kings of this country. Whatever they say, they think they can do no wrong. The Court cannot watch these things silently,' the judge added. Justice Velmurugan made the observations after advocate general PS Raman, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, told the court that the state police had examined over 120 complaints registered against Ponmudi following his comments. The police concluded that the former minister had not committed any offence but had merely 'repeated something that had been said decades ago.' Therefore, the police had decided to 'close all complaints' against Ponmudi in the case, Raman told the court. During an event on April 8 this year, Ponmudi had recited a joke linking the religious forehead markings of Shaivites and Vaishnavites to sexual positions, provoking widespread outrage. The joke also referenced a sex worker, drawing further condemnation. Soon after, justice N Anand Venkatesh of the high court initiated suo motu proceedings and directed the police to register an FIR against Ponmudi. Justice Venkatesh had noted that Ponmudi's comments were 'prima facie hate speech, derogatory to women, and offensive to religious communities.' On Tuesday, Justice Velmurugan questioned the legality of the closure of complaints at the stage of preliminary inquiry, saying police cannot decide whether the speech amounts to hate speech 'without a formal investigation.' The judge cautioned the police that if all the original complainants in the case were not informed about the closure of their cases, the court will act strictly against the state. 'We will keep the suo motu case pending. You will have to get acknowledgements from the complainants for closing their complaints. If any person comes and says they have not been served with notice before closing, this court will come down heavily,' justice Velmurugan said, listing the matter for further hearing on August 1. Ponmudi, who was removed by the DMK as the party deputy general secretary following his remarks and later dropped from the cabinet, had previously admitted to making the remarks but maintained he had just narrated a widely known anecdote. Justice Venkatesh, however, remarked at the time: 'These comments spew venom on Hindu sects and demean the moral worth of women,' adding that they may attract multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC: Where did cops get power to close 121 plaints against Ponmudy?
Chennai: From where did the Tamil Nadu police draw power to close all 112 complaints against former DMK minister K Ponmudy for his alleged derogatory statements against women, Shaivites, and Vaishnavites, asked Madras high court on Tuesday. In response, advocate general P S Raman submitted that all the cases were closed after following due process by conducting a preliminary inquiry under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). It was concluded that the speech did not amount to hate speech; therefore, the complaints were closed, the AG added. The remedy available to the complainants does not end here. Under BNSS, they have an option to appeal to the inspector general and the DGP if they are not satisfied with the findings of the investigating officer, AG said. In response to the AG's claim that the former minister was just quoting an incident that occurred 60 years ago, Justice P Velmurugan said, "Can you (TN police) say that only the original speaker can be punished and not the subsequent speaker who made the same speech?" You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "They (politicians) cannot act like kings; the court cannot tolerate such behaviour. They must respect the public who are the victims," the judge said. "Let them (complainants) exhaust their remedies; meanwhile, we (court) will keep the contempt petition pending. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One plan. Total peace of mind. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo We will watch vigilantly," Justice Velmurugan said. People in public life must understand that this country is for all and not for a particular class of citizens, he added. Asserting that he will keep the suo motu contempt open, Justice Velmurugan directed the state police to ensure that all the complainants are served with the closure notice. "If anyone comes to the court alleging that they have not been served with the closure notice, the court will be constrained to take serious action," the judge said and adjourned the hearing to Aug 1.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Madras high court questions TN police's closure of 121 complaints against former minister Ponmudy
CHENNAI: The on Tuesday questioned from where the Tamil Nadu police derived the power to pass judgments and close all 112 complaints filed against former DMK minister K Ponmudy for his alleged derogatory statements against women, Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Advocate-general P S Raman submitted that all the cases were closed after following due process by conducting a preliminary inquiry under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). It was concluded that the speech did not amount to hate speech; therefore, the complaints were closed, the AG added. In response to the AG's claim that the former minister was just quoting an incident that occurred 60 years ago, Justice P Velmurugan said, 'Can you (TN police) say that only the original speaker can be punished and not the subsequent speaker who made the same speech?' Poll Should politicians be held accountable for derogatory statements, even if quoting historical incidents? Yes, they should be accountable. No, context matters. 'They (politicians) cannot act like a king; the court cannot tolerate such behaviour. They must respect the public who are the victims,' the judge said. The remedy available to the complainants does not end here. Under the BNSS, they have an option to appeal to the inspector of general and the DGP if they are not satisfied with the findings of the investigating officer, the AG said. 'Let them (complainants) exhaust their remedies. Meanwhile, we (court) will keep the contempt petition pending. We will watch vigilantly,' Justice Velmurugan said. 'Nowadays, all the people think that the sky is the limit for them; we cannot be silent spectators. We are living in a democratic country; they (politicians) are bound to follow the constitution,' the judge said. People in public life must understand that this country is for all and not for a particular class of citizens, he added. Asserting that he will keep the suo motu contempt open, Justice Velmurugan directed the state police to ensure that all the complainants are served with the closure notice. 'If anyone comes to the court alleging that they have not been served with the closure notice, the court will be constrained to take serious action,' the judge said and adjourned the hearing to August 1.
