Sri Sri temple program: ASI, HR and CE officials summoned

which was scheduled to conduct spiritual discourses on the temple premises.  They were summoned to appear before the court on Thursday.

A public interest litigation petition filed by N Venkatesh of Thanjavur came up for hearing before a division bench of Justices KK Sasidharan and PD Audikesavalu. The petitioner sought cancellation of permission for the event claiming that the Art of Living Foundation was making temporary arrangements for organizing meditation event on December 7 and 8. 

The petitioner claimed that it was a violation by the Foundation, a private party, to organize the meditation in the traditional temple, which has its historical value dating back to a period of thousand years, and is a UNESCO heritage site. He claimed that if such a programme was conducted, it would affect devotees. Hence, the petitioner sought the bench to impose stay on any such proceedings in the historic temple. 

On December 7, the bench granted an interim injunction against the event in the temple and posted the case to further hearing. 

Meanwhile, the Centre’s Assistant Solicitor General V Kathirvel stated that only after making conditions by the Archaeological Department, the Foundation was granted permission to conduct the spiritual programme, but in violation such arrangements were made to conduct meditation.