The Kerala High Court has made a definitive ruling prohibiting the use of flex boards that praise or congratulate the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) within temple premises. This decision, announced on Tuesday by a bench including Justices Anil K Narendran and Muralee Krishna S, came in response to a plea the court initiated on its own after receiving a complaint regarding a flex board displayed at the Thuravoor Mahakshetram in Alappuzha district.
The controversial flex board featured photographs of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, TDB President, and the local MLA. It was intended to commend the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Board for allowing ‘annadanam’—a ritual offering of food to devotees—during the Mandalakala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
Expressing its dissatisfaction with the situation, the court emphasized that such promotional activities are inappropriate within the sacred confines of temples. “Do not be under the impression that you (TDB) are the owner of the temples. The Board is merely a trustee managing these temples,” the bench stated, highlighting the inappropriateness of using religious sites for political gains.
The court further remarked that devotees visit temples to seek divine presence, not to be greeted by the faces of political figures or board members. The Thuravoor temple, noted as an ‘edathavalam’ or halting point for Sabarimala pilgrims, should focus on providing necessary facilities for devotees rather than serving as a platform for political messaging.
Moreover, the bench criticized the temple advisory committee’s decision to install such boards, stating clearly that funds collected from devotees should not be utilized for these purposes. The court has requested the TDB and other relevant authorities to clarify their stance on this issue and to report whether similar flex boards have been installed in other temples, especially those used as ‘edathavalams’ under the Board’s management.
