MADURAI: If the right to privacy includes sexual orientation or sexual orientation, it certainly includes spiritual orientation, the Madras High Court has ruled after devotees dined at a place of worship in Karur. , ruled that it is permissible for men to roll in banana leaves (angapradakshanam). district.
Justice GR Swaminathan of the HC’s Madurai bench termed a person’s belief (that rolling banana leaves left by devotees who took part in community festivals brings spiritual benefits) as “spiritual orientation”. “Individuals are free to express themselves,” he said. Of course, this direction should not affect the rights and freedoms of others, and states and courts should not be allowed to infringe on the actions of individuals, unless this Rubicon is crossed. ”
The matter pertains to a petition filed by P. Naveen Kumar, a devotee of Shri Sadashiva Brahmendral, who is believed to have achieved ‘Jiva Samadhi’ at Nellore village in Karur district. . On the days of his Jiva Samadhi, his devotees used to perform rollovers for decades.
However, in 2015, the Madras HC banned the practice and directed authorities not to allow anyone to perform ‘angapradashanam’ with banana leaves left after a meal. Naveen Kumar claimed that this was a 120-year-old ritual and he had vowed to perform it on May 18.
Justice Swaminathan concurred with his opinion, stating that the petitioners are guaranteed a fundamental right to fulfill their religious vows under Article 25(1) of the Constitution.
“Article 19(1)(d) provides that every citizen has the right to free movement throughout India. This right is subject to reasonable restrictions as envisaged in Article 19(5). The right of movement shall not be limited to movement on foot or by vehicle, and it would also include Angapradakshanam,” he said.
Justice Swaminathan observed that the HC’s 2015 prohibitory order was passed without hearing the necessary stakeholders and held that the order was “null and void”.
Justice GR Swaminathan of the HC’s Madurai bench termed a person’s belief (that rolling banana leaves left by devotees who took part in community festivals brings spiritual benefits) as “spiritual orientation”. “Individuals are free to express themselves,” he said. Of course, this direction should not affect the rights and freedoms of others, and states and courts should not be allowed to infringe on the actions of individuals, unless this Rubicon is crossed. ”
The matter pertains to a petition filed by P. Naveen Kumar, a devotee of Shri Sadashiva Brahmendral, who is believed to have achieved ‘Jiva Samadhi’ at Nellore village in Karur district. . On the days of his Jiva Samadhi, his devotees used to perform rollovers for decades.
However, in 2015, the Madras HC banned the practice and directed authorities not to allow anyone to perform ‘angapradashanam’ with banana leaves left after a meal. Naveen Kumar claimed that this was a 120-year-old ritual and he had vowed to perform it on May 18.
Justice Swaminathan concurred with his opinion, stating that the petitioners are guaranteed a fundamental right to fulfill their religious vows under Article 25(1) of the Constitution.
“Article 19(1)(d) provides that every citizen has the right to free movement throughout India. This right is subject to reasonable restrictions as envisaged in Article 19(5). The right of movement shall not be limited to movement on foot or by vehicle, and it would also include Angapradakshanam,” he said.
Justice Swaminathan observed that the HC’s 2015 prohibitory order was passed without hearing the necessary stakeholders and held that the order was “null and void”.
