Tamil Nadu bans mobile phone usage in temples, here’s why – Times of India

The Tamil Nadu government will soon restrict its residents from using mobile phones in temples across the state. According to a report by PTI, the Madras High Court has directed the state government to implement such a ban “to maintain the purity and sanctity,” of temples. The direction was given to the State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Department by Justice R Mahadevan and Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad who presided over the HC bench.
This hearing was delivered during a public interest litigation (PIL). Petitioner M Seetharaman asked the authorities to take effective measures to prohibit the possession and usage of android cellphones inside the premises of Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Tiruchendur in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu which is also one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga.
Why the petitioner asked authorities to ban mobile phones on temple premises
Seetharaman asserted that the temple is an ancient shrine which can be used for free and peaceful darshan. However, the usage of cameras to record videos or photos of the Deeparathanai, poojas and other rituals is a hindrance.

He also mentioned that all the devotees arrive with mobile phones and they take photographs or videos within the premises of the temple, without any restrictions. Seetharaman argued that taking pictures of valuable idols is not only contrary to the Agama Rules, (related to a temple’s rituals) but also endangers the security of the temple and its valuables.
The petitioner also expressed his fears regarding the photographs of women devotees being taken without their consent, which will be misused later.
How did the temple authorities react
The temple authorities have informed the court that necessary steps have been taken to impose restrictions on the usage of cell phones by the priest, devotees, the public and others inside the shrine. Moreover, the authorities also claimed that it has appointed self-help groups to supervise the usage of cell phones and have also set up security counters for the public to deposit their cell phones.

The HC bench also pointed out that a ban on mobile phones has been introduced and successfully implemented in several other temples in the country. This includes Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayur (Kerala), Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai and Sri Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. In these temples, the authorities have set up separate security counters to deposit mobile phones before entering the premises, the bench noted.