KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to take a final decision on permitting Kandararu Mohanaru to act as the ‘thantri’ and allowing him to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple, for performing tantric rituals and rites.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice C T Ravikumar passed the order while considering a petition filed by Kandararu Maheswararu against the Devaswom’s decision to deny permission to his son Mohanaru from assisting him in performing the ceremonial rites at the Lord Ayyappa temple. The court also directed the TDB to file an affidavit stating its decision on whether Mohanaru can be permitted to enter Sabarimala temple or not.
It further asserted that it had all rights to decide on the matter, without waiting for the views of the TDB. However, the court had allowed the TDB to express its views on the matter. “The court has, in no manner, indicated as to what shall be the decision that has to be arrived at by the Board. However the board has to state the reason behind any decision,” the Bench held.
Kandararu Mohanaru had not been permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala temple to perform any rites as the ‘thantri’, after the Sobha John case. During the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season, the court had rejected the plea of Maheswararu in this regard. The petitioner had submitted that Mohanaru was not involved in any criminal conspiracy, and had himself been a victim.
It was Mohanaru who filed a police complaint following an attempt to blackmail him two years ago, the petitioner further said. However, certain quarters were unleashing a propaganda against Mohanaru to prevent him from performing rites at Sabarimala.
He further submitted that Mohanaru had been performing duties at Sabarimala and several other major temples, adding that the TDB had no right to prevent Mohanaru or any other member of the Thazhamon Thantri family from assisting the chief priest at Sabarimala, as it is their traditionally inherited right.
The court had earlier accepted the statement of the TDB in 2007 justifying its stand in not engaging Mohanaru, owing to the controversy in connection with the extortion and assault case.The petitioner however, submitted that the prohibition had been for a period of one year. The prohibition is not in force now.
Therefore, the controversy ought to end, the petitioner submitted.