Tantri does not have ownership of assets belonging to deity, says Kerala HC
The authority to perform and supervise religious ceremonies must be distinguished from the right to own or deal with the property of the deity, the court observes
The Kerala High Court has ruled that the Tantri, while holding authority over religious and ritual aspects of temple administration, does not have ownership rights to the assets belonging to the deity. The court emphasized that the Tantri's role is distinct from ownership of deity property, which is governed by statutory and administrative rules.
These rules require proper accounting, preservation, and maintenance of deity assets. The Tantri's customary or ritual entitlement under Thantra Samuchayam cannot be interpreted as granting ownership over deity property. The court noted that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, including the right to practice and propagate it, but it does not override existing laws or prevent the State from regulating secular activities associated with religion.
The court dismissed a challenge to a 2012 circular by the Travancore Devaswom Board that granted the Tantri rights to certain deity assets, stating that the circular has been followed for the past fourteen years without objection.
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