KOCHI: The high court has initiated a suo motu case based on a written complaint by a devotee seeking permission to allow wheelchairs inside the 'Naalambalam' of temples to enable physically disabled devotees to have proper darshan.
The bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and Harisankar V Menon, while considering the plea, directed the state, Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar devaswom boards to file individual affidavits explaining the facts and circumstances of the suggestion within four weeks. The bench also appointed Adv V Ramkumar Nambiar as an amicus curiae in the case and scheduled the petition for May 20.
The case stemmed from a complaint written by a woman devotee to the bench, stating that as she was physically challenged, the use of a wheelchair was essential for her mobility. Since the temple authorities did not permit wheelchairs in the 'Naalambalam,' her father and husband had to carry her to have darshan. The complainant further stated that due to the elevated position of the deities, it was challenging to view them while sitting on the ground. Such restrictions would dampen the spiritual worship experience and discourage devotees' morale, the complainant added.
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