Madras: The Madras High Court Srirangam Jeeyar appointment case has drawn attention after the Court compared the selection of a new temple pontiff to the election of the Pope.
The Court has directed that the vacant position of the Srirangam temple’s Jeeyar must be filled within six months. It also made clear that the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department cannot appoint or approve the religious head.
Srirangam Jeeyar Appointment: Madras High Court Uses Pope Election As An Example
A division bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice P Murugan, made the observations while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition in S Veeraraghavan v. State of Tamil Nadu.
Read also: Who Can File A Complaint Under The Senior Citizen Act? Madras High Court Answers
The petition was filed by S Veeraraghavan, a devotee of the Sri Vaishnava Tenkalai sect. He requested the Court to ensure the appointment of a successor to the Sriranganarayana Jeeyar of the famous Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.
During the hearing, the judges compared the selection process with the election of the Pope in the Catholic Church. The Court observed that the Sthalattars, who are responsible for selecting the new pontiff, should remain inside the Mutt until they resolve the issue.
It referred to the practice of Cardinals staying inside the Sistine Chapel during the election of a new Pope, with the process ending when white smoke appears.
Why Has The Srirangam Pontiff Position Been Vacant Since 2018
The position of the Jeeyar has remained vacant since 2018, following the death of the 50th Jeeyar of the Mutt.
He had taken charge in 1989 but died without naming his successor. The Jeeyar holds an important position in the religious and administrative system of the Srirangam temple.
The tradition of Jeeyars at Srirangam dates back to the 12th century. Sri Ramanujacharya established an organised system for managing the temple’s religious and administrative activities.
Apart from performing spiritual duties, the Jeeyar also plays an important role in maintaining religious traditions and ensuring that temple practices follow the Agamas.
According to the Mutt’s customs, the successor must be selected by the Sthalattars through a unanimous decision or majority. However, the selection process has remained incomplete for several years.
Court Questions Delay In Srirangam Jeeyar Appointment
The High Court expressed concern over the long delay in filling the vacant position. It observed that the absence of a Jeeyar had affected the traditional system of accountability within the temple.
The judges also noted that the prolonged vacancy had allowed the Sthalattars and Bhattars to exercise powers that would otherwise be performed or supervised by the Jeeyar.
According to the Court, the situation was not in the interests of devotees because there was no religious head to perform the traditional responsibilities.
The bench held that keeping the position vacant for such a long period affected the fundamental rights of the Mutt’s disciples under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 25 protects the freedom of conscience and the right to freely practise and profess religion, subject to constitutional limitations.
HR&CE Department Cannot Appoint The New Pontiff
One of the most important observations in the case concerned the powers of the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department.
The Court noted that the department had invited applications for the position in 2021. However, no effective steps were taken to complete the appointment process, even though qualified candidates had responded.
The judges also raised concerns about the previous appointment of the 50th Jeeyar through proceedings issued by a temple official.
The bench made it clear that the department cannot repeat such an appointment process.
According to the Court, selecting a religious pontiff is a religious function, not an ordinary administrative responsibility. Therefore, the HR&CE Department cannot independently select or approve the new Jeeyar.
Its role is limited to formally acknowledging the selection made by the Sthalattars according to the Mutt’s customs. The Court also clarified that the Jeeyar is not an employee of the temple and cannot be placed under the disciplinary control of temple trustees.
Court Gives Six Months To Complete The Srirangam Jeeyar Appointment Process
The Madras High Court has directed the jurisdictional Joint Commissioner of the HR&CE Department to call upon the Sthalattars to convene a meeting and begin the selection process.
The Sthalattars must invite eligible and suitable candidates to take charge of the spiritual position. The Court has given an outer time limit of six months to complete the entire process.
It also warned that it could intervene if the Sthalattars failed to perform their responsibilities within the given period.
The bench said it could exercise its parens patriae jurisdiction, which allows a court to act as a guardian in certain situations where intervention is necessary to protect the rights and interests of others.
The Court also indicated that it could seek assistance from eminent Vaishnavite saints or a related religious institution if the selection process remained incomplete.
New Jeeyar To Receive Accommodation And Maintenance
The Court also addressed the facilities and support that the newly selected Jeeyar would receive after taking charge.
According to the bench, the new religious head would be entitled to accommodation at Cheran Mutt within the temple campus. The Jeeyar would also receive maintenance from the income of the Mutt.
These arrangements are intended to support the religious head in performing traditional and spiritual responsibilities.
Read also: “This Should Have Happened Years Ago”: Madras High Court Backs Renaming Of Caste-Based Streets
FAQs
The Madras High Court has directed that the selection process for the new Srirangam Jeeyar must be completed within six months.
The Madras High Court compared the process to the election of the Pope to highlight the need for the Sthalattars to resolve the selection of the new Jeeyar through a dedicated process.
No. The Madras High Court clarified that the HR&CE Department cannot appoint or approve the new pontiff. The selection must be made by the Sthalattars according to the Mutt’s established customs.
