Noting that courts are not expected to adjudicate any matter academically in the absence of real litigation between parties, and they are not entitled to create a controversy and adjudicate upon the same, the Madras High Court on Monday set aside the order of a single judge imposing dress code for devotees visiting temples in Tamil Nadu.
On November 11, 2015, Justice S. Vaidyanathan had imposed a dress code “to enhance the spiritual ambience among devotees.” He directed the government and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to consider implementaion of the order.
The judge had prescribed dhoti or pyjama with upper cloth or formal trousers and shirt for men, saree or half saree with blouse, churidhars with upper cloth for women and any fully covered dress for children. The judgment created debate in the State, prompting two women’s association and the government to challenge the order.
The single judge had passed the order “to enhance spiritual ambience among devotees”
