Non-Hindus cannot be excluded from the auction of shops in the temple based on religion : Supreme Court

• A case of the Mallikarjun Devasthanam of Andhra Pradesh, one among the 12 Jyotirlingas
• Order of Andhra Pradesh High Court overruled
• The possibility of Hindus purchasing from non-Hindu shopkeepers is very less

New Delhi – The Supreme Court has given a verdict regarding one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. The Court revoked the order banning non-Hindus from participating in the auction of shops under the A.P Charitable and Hindu Religious Institution and Endowments Act, 1987. People of all religions are allowed to participate in the auction process of all the shops. Non-Hindus cannot be banned based on religion in the temple’s auction, the Court ordered. Earlier, a notification issued by the Temple Administration and District Administration said that only Hindus can take part in the auction of the shops by the Temple Administration. The notification was challenged by Sayyed Jani Basha in the High Court. The High Court had dismissed the petition, so the petition was filed in the Supreme Court.

Non-Hindus cannot be barred from participating in the auction of shops in Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh: SC overturns HC verdicthttps://t.co/Zg4zjig2Et

— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) December 18, 2021

The Supreme Court permitting non-Hindus to take part in the auction the Court ordered, “While it may be that within temple premises, one may not say something which would be offensive to the faith or that there may be no liquor or gambling, it cannot be that you will not sell bamboo, flowers or children’s toys if you don’t belong to the Hindu Dharma.”