TN govt withdraws provision on temple priests from Bill

Chennai, Aug 21 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today withdrew a provision in a Bill providing for appointment of archakas (priests) in temples without discrimination of caste, creed and custom or usage, following the Supreme Court's interim stay of the clause.

State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister K R Periakaruppan brought in an amendment to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill-2006 in the Assembly, omitting the impugned Clause eight. The Bill was later passed in the House by voice vote.

The Bill was introduced in the House on August 12, to replace an ordinance promulgated by the Governor on July 16.

Clause eight of the Bill was challenged in the Supreme Court by the Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Sangam and Thennindia Thirukkoil Archagargal Paripalana Sabhai, following which a three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Mr Justice C K Thakker and Mr Justice Markendey Katju ordered the interim stay on August 14.

Appointment of qualified people from all castes as temple priests was a major promise made by the ruling DMK during the recent Assembly elections.

Earlier, speaking on the issue, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said his Government would march towards its goal of appointing archakas from all castes, by removing hurdles.

Stating that Section 25 of the Indian Constitution empowered states to enact suitable legislation to ensure social renaissance and welfare, he said the Government would take steps to assert the basic rights of citizens and ensure that people from all castes enjoyed it.

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