K'taka High Court directs formation of temple committee as per reservation norms

Puttur: The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order directing the formation of a management committee for the Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, adhering to reservation norms. This comes in response to a writ petition filed by Vasanthi, also known as Vasanthalakshmi, from Sediya, challenging the process of inviting applications for committee membership.

The petition named the Secretary of the Religious Endowment Department, the State Religious Council, the Commissioner of the Religious Endowment Department, and the temple’s Executive Officer as respondents.

Earlier, the Religious Endowment Department had issued a notification on July 16 inviting applications for forming the new committee, which was contested in court.

The High Court has instructed that the committee be constituted strictly under the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 2012.

As per the guidelines, one position must be reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, two positions for women, and at least one position for residents of the temple’s vicinity. Vasanthi said she is one of the aspirants, and emphasized that under Section 25(2)(d) of the Act, individuals affiliated with any political party are ineligible for membership.