Setting aside the order on dress code, the Madras High Court on Monday noted that the relief claimed in the original writ petition in which the order was passed had nothing to do with the implementation of a dress code.
The pleas filed by two women’s association and the State government challenging a single judge order on dress code for temple devotees came up for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices V. Ramasubramanian and K. Ravichandrabaabu.
The actual prayer was to direct the police to grant permission for a cultural at Sri Shenbaga Vinayagar temple in located at Akkiyampatti Village, Tiruchi District.
The Bench said the reason stated by the single judge to justify the order runs contrary to the word of caution sent by the apex court in ‘Meerut Development Authority case’ which said, “it would seem to us it would be wise for the courts not to venture into this unchartered minefield. We are not exercising our will. We cannot impose our own values on society.
“Prescribing a dress code for the devotees worshipping in temples was not an issue which arose directly or indirectly in the petition. There was no prayer by the petitioner seeking the prescription of a dress code.”
