Back
Kerala Asks Guruvayur Devaswom To Consider Renaming Ritual Named After Local Court
The of Kerala at Ernakulam has declined to prohibit the longstanding "Kodathi Vilakku" ritual held at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Swami temple. In a recent order, the Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K. V. Jayakumar directed the to consider renaming the event to prevent any perceived association with the judiciary, thereby upholding the principle of .
Origins of the Controversy
The proceedings were initiated following a complaint by Smt. Rajeswari, who alleged that the "Kodathi Vilakku" (Court Lamp) ritual continued despite an internal memorandum from suggesting such associations were inappropriate. The complainant argued that as , courts should not be linked to religious ceremonies, as it might inadvertently suggest of specific traditions.
Arguments from the Stakeholders
The clarified that the practice of Chuttuvilakku dates back to the reign of the Zamoothiri Raja. Historically, as the temple faced financial constraints, it relied on contributions from affluent families and public institutions—including courts and government offices—to fund expensive poojas. Over time, the "Munsiff Vilakku" and "Magistrate Vilakku" evolved, with the latter eventually becoming the "Police Vilakku."
The maintained that the event is managed by a registered society of advocates and funded through donations from the legal fraternity. They asserted that participation is voluntary and the ritual is conducted with deep devotion by members of the legal community.
The Court’s Reasoning
While the found no legal justification to ban the performance of the ritual, it expressed concerns regarding its nomenclature. The Court noted that the term "Kodathi Vilakku" risks creating an impression of , which could be misleading. It emphasized that judicial officers must maintain an image of neutrality and should not feel obligated to participate in religious events under a banner that bears the court’s name.
Key Observations
-
"The nomenclature 'Kodathi Vilakku' may inadvertently create an impression of an institutional association or endorsement by the judiciary in relation to an event connected with a particular religious tradition."
-
"As secular democratic institutions under the , the courts cannot be seen engaging in activities that promote any particular religion."
-
"There is no material to indicate that the event is conducted in a manner inconsistent with constitutional or institutional principles, or that any Judicial Officer is required or compelled to participate."
Final Order and Implications
The Court directed the to take a decision on renaming the event within , following a consultative process with all affected parties. This decision effectively balances the preservation of established religious traditions with the of maintaining the perceived neutrality of the judicial system. By opting for a name change rather than a total ban, the Court has provided a constructive path forward for the organizers to continue their tradition while removing the contentious association with the state's judicial machinery.
