The Madras High Court said that women cannot be denied entry to temple ceremonies on the grounds of their husband's death. In the judgment, Justice Anand Venkatesh said that the identity of women is not defined on the basis of marriage.
It is unfortunate to still think that a widow entering a temple will tarnish its sanctity. The court ruling was based on a complaint filed by a young woman named Thangamani against her and her son being denied entry to the Periyakaruparayan temple located in Nambiyur taluk of Erode. The complainant's husband was a temple priest.
The temple committee had decided to hold a festival in the temple during the Tamil month of Atimas. But the complainant and her son were barred from participating in the ceremony on August 9. The complainant approached the court against this. The court directed that police provide protection to the young woman and her son to participate in the festival in the temple and in case of conflict, legal action should be taken against those creating trouble.
