Kerala HC responds to plea from Hindu Aikya Vedi against Muslims in temple festival committee

From the 'pooram' brochure of the Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy Temple.

The High Court of Kerala on Friday listed a petition filed by a Hindu Aikya Vedi activist challenging the involvement of Muslims in the 'pooram organising committee' of the famous Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy Temple at Angadippuram in Malappuram.

The petitioner has objected to Muslims holding important posts in the festival committee of the temple. The festival will begin on March 28 and end on April 7.

According to the brochure of the temple festival, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP, Abdussamad Samadani is the chief patron of the committee that has IUML's Perinthalmanna MLA Manjalamkuzhi Ali as chairman.

According to verdictum.in, the petitioner, PV Muraleedharan, secretary of Hindu Aikya Vedi, has moved the court against the secular structure of the festival committee. He has argued that the constitution of the committee was a violation as the Devaswom Board, under which the temple operates, only allows Hindus in key positions of temple committees.

The petitioner wants the temple festival committee to be reconstituted without the Muslim members.

Recently, there was a controversy over a green paint applied on the exterior of a portion of the temple. The walls were later repainted in sandalwood colour following protests.

The painting contractor, Vinayan, told mediapersons the initial colour was his choice and that it was peacock blue and not green. The High Court has listed the matter for Monday.

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