Kerala High Court Mandates Devaswom Boards to Ensure Accessible Darshan for Disabled Persons

The Kerala High Court has directed Devaswom Boards to ensure that persons with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations for darshan in temples. This ruling reinforces the rights of disabled individuals under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.

The Kerala High Court has mandated that Devaswom Boards in the state must ensure that individuals with disabilities can have a proper darshan at temples under their management. This directive aims to uphold the principles of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination as outlined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.

To achieve this, the court emphasised that disabled individuals should receive reasonable accommodations and priority access to facilities and services. The court clarified that these measures are not acts of charity but are statutory and constitutional obligations intended to secure substantive equality.

Ensuring Accessibility in Major Temples

The court highlighted the significance of this issue, particularly in major temples or Mahakshethrams managed by various Devaswom Boards. It instructed the Devaswom Boards of Travancore, Cochin, Guruvayoor, and Malabar to consult with tantris and other stakeholders to determine specific measures for accommodating persons with disabilities.

The Boards are tasked with evaluating each temple's unique circumstances to decide if wheelchairs can be allowed inside the Nalambalam or other inner precincts. This decision must align with the mandate for reasonable accommodation and priority access under the Act.

Implementing Inclusive Measures

The court also suggested examining the possibility of designating specific days or times for darshan for persons with disabilities. Any such schedule should be widely publicised for public awareness. Additionally, the Boards should consider offering advance booking or virtual-queue reservations to ease access and reduce waiting times for disabled devotees.

Further measures include ensuring barrier-free access routes, providing assistance personnel, and any other necessary facilities to guarantee a dignified and unhindered darshan experience. The court ordered that these directions be implemented fully and sincerely.

Background of the Court's Directive

This directive was issued while addressing a plea initiated by the court itself in 2022. The plea was based on a complaint from a disabled woman about the challenges faced by physically challenged individuals during their temple visits. She reported that at Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur, she was required to leave her wheelchair at the outer entrance as wheelchairs were not permitted inside the Nalambalam.

The Devaswom Boards opposed the petition, citing practical difficulties in allowing wheelchairs inside temple precincts. They argued that temples were built according to Vasthusasthra without a uniform architectural style. Some temples are located in forests or on rocky terrains, while others have limited space inside the Nalambalam, making wheelchair movement challenging.

The court has directed that decisions on these matters be made within four months from receiving this judgment. Broad guidelines should be issued accordingly to ensure compliance with its directives.

With inputs from PTI