Temple security should not wear ‘bouncer’ t-shirts: Kerala HC tells Cochin Devaswom Board
Bench asked to exercise caution and avoid engaging personnel in such attire for future festivals or inside temple precincts.
Bench asked to exercise caution and avoid engaging personnel in such attire for future festivals or inside temple precincts.
Bench asked to exercise caution and avoid engaging personnel in such attire for future festivals or inside temple precincts.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Cochin Devaswom Board to refrain from deploying security personnel in inappropriate attire, including t-shirts with the word “bouncer”, during temple festivals or inside temple premises.
The order by a Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar came on a plea filed by Kochi resident N Prakash, who said such personnel had been engaged at the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple in Tripunithura.
Prakash told the court that “strong-arm security personnel” wearing bouncer t-shirts were deployed at the shrine between November 22 and 25. He argued that using such individuals to manage devotees was “wholly inappropriate” and incompatible with the sanctity and decorum expected in temple spaces.
The Board’s counsel said the temple had initially engaged ex-servicemen for security duty, but the unusually large crowds made it difficult for them to control the inflow of devotees. A private security agency was then hired.
The lawyer admitted it was “unfortunate” that personnel in bouncer t-shirts were deployed and assured the court that it would not happen again.
Recording the submission, the Bench directed the Board and the temple’s Devaswom Officer to exercise caution and avoid engaging personnel in such attire for future festivals or inside temple precincts.
The plea was then disposed of.
(With LiveLaw inputs)