HC directive to HR and CE department on queues at Samayapuram temple

A person called Pon Murugesan from Tiruchy, in his petition, stated that the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple was one of the famous shrines and at present it was under the control of the HR&CE department. There were three different queues for devotees, classifying them with different ‘yardsticks’, the petition claimed. 

In the first queue, VIPs, such as politicians and top officials, were being allowed. The second queue was for those devotees who could afford to pay Rs 100 and they are allowed to sit before the deity for 10 to 15 minutes. The third one, was ‘free darshan’ or for people who may not be able to pay money. They would not be allowed near the deity, and instead would be allowed to see the deity for a few seconds from a distance of about 15 feet. 

The differential treatment for devotees was also a form to of untouchability, the petitioner contended and sought the court to ensure that there was no difference in treatment of devotees in the darshan queues. The devotees should be allowed to sit near the deity and offer prayers, the petitioner prayed. A bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Rajamanickam, after hearing the petition directed the HR&CE Department to remove all the differences in darshan queues at the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple and ensure that all devotees had equal access to the deity.