India

Why should sacred locations not be allowed to religious people? The Supreme Court declines to hear the Andhra Pradesh government’s argument about the Ahobilam mutt temple.

Friday, the Supreme Court refused to hear the Andhra Pradesh government’s appeal against the state high court order that thwarted its plans to take over the administration of the Ahobilam mutt-affiliated Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Devasthanam. The court asked, “Why should religious places not be left to religious people?”

The question was posed by a bench of Justices S K Kaul and A S Oka while hearing the Andhra Pradesh government’s Special Leave Petition challenging the October 13, 2022 high court order, which held that “since the Sri Ahobilam Mutt Parampara Aadheena Sri Lakshmi Swamy Ahobilam Devasthanam has been associated with the Ahobilam Mutt due to common religious practices and involvement in administration, it is necessarily a part and parcel.

The state noted that according to the high court, only the head of the Ahobilam mutt could administer the temple, not an executive officer designated by the commissioner of the State Endowments Department under the AP Religious Endowments and Charitable Institutions Act of 1987. The administration also stated that they cannot be treated as a single legal body and that the high court’s decision violates fundamental legal norms.

The government said that it had appointed executive officers to the temple in the past, with no opposition. According to the statement, the demonstrations did not begin until an executive officer was selected in March 2019.

The court, however, was not persuaded and questioned the state’s attorney, “Why are you going into that?” Justice Kaul stated, despite the state’s efforts to pursue its case, “Let the temple people deal with it… Why shouldn’t religious sites be left to religious individuals?

The Supreme Court’s statements come at a time when there are growing calls to free temples from governmental authority.

 

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Nisha

Hi, my name is Nisha and I'm an educational journalist based in India. I've always been passionate about the power of education to transform lives, and that's what led me to pursue a career in journalism focused on this area. I completed my Bachelor's degree in English from Hindu College in Delhi in 2013 and then went on to earn my Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication in 2017. During my studies, I also completed several short-term courses on Education in India, Sociology, and other related subjects to deepen my knowledge in this field. I'm particularly interested in improving access to quality education in rural areas, where students often face significant challenges. I've worked on a number of initiatives to address this issue, including advocating for better policies, resources, and practices that can make a difference. As an educational journalist, I'm passionate about using my platform to highlight important issues in the education space. I've covered a wide range of topics, including the impact of technology in the classroom, innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and the challenges facing students from marginalized communities. One of the things I love most about my work is the opportunity to constantly learn and grow. I'm an avid reader and believe that reading is key to expanding one's knowledge and perspective. I'm always seeking out new ideas and insights to help me better understand the world around me. In summary, as an educational journalist, I'm dedicated to using my skills and expertise to make a positive impact in the field of education. I'm committed to improving access to quality education for all students and to using my platform to raise awareness about important issues in this area.

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