Plea against Kalaiarangam dismissed

MADURAI: “Temples should not be treated as places of worship alone. They should be converted into centres of learning. Construction of an auditorium cannot be treated as a non-religious purpose,” observed Justice K K Sasidharan of the Madurai High Court Bench, while dismissing a writ petition filed against the decision of the HR&CE department to construct a ‘Kalaiarangam’ on the premises of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam.The judge further said that such developmental activities in Srirangam would make the temple on a par with model townships. The petitioner, A Krishnamachari, contended that it was not proper to allow construction of a new building inside the precincts of the ancient temple. The auditorium, if constructed, would affect the serene atmosphere of the temple and the temple administration cannot be allowed to spend `5 crore from public money for such an unproductive purpose, he further stated. He also raised apprehensions that the ‘kalaiarangam’ might permit ‘obscene dances’, since the very name of the auditorium (kalaiarangam) suggested all sorts of entertainment. In his counter, the Commissioner of the HR and CE Department submitted that the people of Srirangam had appealed to  the CM during her visit on June 19, 2011 to construct an auditorium inside the temple. After the CM readily agreed to construct the auditorium, the follow-up action was taken in the public interest, he added, assuring that it would be used only for religious purposes. The judge, on hearing both the sides, said, “When the State with a social commitment accepts the genuine demand of its people, such decisions should be respected.” According to the judge, the CM, being the Member of the Legislative Assembly from Srirangam, thought it fit to take measures to improve the conditions of people of Srirangam and pilgrims. The construction of a ‘kalaiarangam’ is one such activities.