Kerala High Court Upholds Devaswom Board's Power
The Kerala High Court upheld the Travancore Devaswom Board's authority to approve Thanthra institutions.
Dismissal of Thanthri Samajam Plea
The court dismissed a writ petition filed by the Akhila Kerala Thanthri Samajam challenging the Travancore Devaswom Board's decision to recognize certain institutions for issuing eligibility certificates to candidates applying for the post of Shanthi (temple priest).
The petitioners argued that only traditional Thanthris, hereditary chief priests, possessed the spiritual and ritual authority to train and certify individuals qualified to perform temple rituals.
The court's decision was made by a Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V.
Author's summary: Kerala HC upholds Devaswom Board's power to recognize Thanthra institutions.