HR&CE files appeal against dress code fiat

Even as the dress code prescribed by a single judge of the Madurai HC bench had come into force from Jan 1, the department to everyone’s surprise challenged the order. Justice S Vaidyanathan had prescribed that while visiting temples men should wear a “dothi or pyjama with upper cloth or formal pants and shirts, women should wear a sari or a half sari or churidhar with upper cloth while kids could wear any fully covered dress.” 

The judge while directing the HR&CE to issue a circular to all the temples under its jurisdiction to strictly adhere to the dress code, had held that the objective behind the code was mainly to restrict devotees from visiting temples in improper clothing and also in enhancing the spiritual ambience.

 However, the judge on exempting temples where men were prohibited from wearing an upper cloth could continue the practice, insisted that his order should be followed as an interim measure till the Government takes a policy decision as expeditiously as possible. 

Following the order, the HR&CE, which manages as many as 36,574 temples in the State put up banners listing out the dress code. However, on the day of implementation a cursory glance revealed that many temples had to turn away devotees who came in short pants or jeans while certain temples asked the devotees to follow the norms in their subsequent visits. 

Now, in a surprise move the HR& CE through its secretary has filed an appeal against the single judge’s order. 

It submitted that as per the prevailing rules meant for entry into temples a dress code is already in place. Also on pointing out that the existing rule also allows temples to prescribe any traditional clothes that it deems fit for entry.  It held that under such circumstances there remains no need for a separate court order in this regard.