Overview
- The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi appointed the retired Supreme Court judge as principal mediator to seek an amicable arrangement for daily worship.
- Justice Kaul may associate two experts conversant in Tamil, Sanskrit, temple rituals and the shrine’s religious history to assist the process.
- The appeal challenges a Madras High Court decision that upheld Thenkalai Adhiapaka Mirasi and restricted Vadakalai recitals of Ramanuja Dayapatram and Vaazhi Thirunaamam during the 4,000 Divya Prabandhams.
- Petitioners contend the High Court relied on pre-Constitution precedents and misapplied constitutional protections, citing Article 26, the 1971 HR&CE amendment abolishing hereditary services, and limits under Sections 45 and 107.
- Counsel noted a brief pandemic-era practice allowed each sect a short chant but it was later discontinued, and the temple administration now permits only Thenkalai recitations.