High Court says halal certified products cannot be used as offerings at Sabarimala
Introductory Memo: The Kerala High Court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure that materials purchased for offerings at Sabarimala and other Devaswom temples conform to Hindu religious customs and rituals, and ordered that such conditions be included in future tenders. The direction came in connection with a petition over halal-certified jaggery purchased for preparing Sabarimala’s aravana and appam offerings, although the court did not specifically ban halal-certified jaggery by name. The case also involved the disposal of around 3.5 lakh kilograms of jaggery that was later found unfit for consumption. Meanwhile, the Devaswom Board has finalized candidates for the Sabarimala and Malikappuram Melshanthi interviews, is considering making toilets at Pampa free during the Mandala season in compliance with a court direction, and the Devaswom Minister has said the government is open to a CBI investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case.
Analytical view/ Analysis: No to Halal certified materials to any temples is the result of this fight. There will be far reaching impact in products related with temple rituals.
The High Court directed that when purchasing materials for offerings at Sabarimala, it is not enough to ensure only quality and that all materials must conform to Hindu religious customs and rituals. The Devaswom Division Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar also directed that conditions to this effect be included in the tender procedures for purchasing the materials. This crucial direction came in a petition filed by Sabarimala Karma Samithi leader S J R Kumar. He had filed the petition against the use of halal jaggery for the appam and aravana offerings at Sabarimala.
During the 2019-20 Sabarimala pilgrimage season, from the Mandala period of Kollavarsham 1195 to Chithira Attavishesham, 19,96,034 kilograms of jaggery powder was purchased from Vardhan Agro Products in Maharashtra. It was intended for aravana, appam, and other offerings. However, the number of pilgrims fell significantly due to the restrictions imposed following the COVID outbreak. Only 16,59,044 kilograms of the purchased jaggery was used. On April 27, 2021, the Devaswom Board asked the Food Safety Department whether the remaining jaggery could be used. After inspection, the Food Safety Department permitted its use. Meanwhile, following complaints that the jaggery was of poor quality, the department was again asked to inspect it in September, and its inspection found that it was unfit for consumption. The Food Safety Department directed that three and a half lakh kilograms of jaggery be destroyed. Since there was no facility to destroy the jaggery at Sannidhanam and Pampa, a contract was given to have it taken outside and destroyed.
It was during this period that the words “Halal Certified” were found printed on the packets of jaggery brought from the Vardhaman company. The Sabarimala Karma Samithi argued before the High Court that it was inappropriate to offer to Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala materials that had been processed in accordance with the requirements for offering them to the god of another religion’s faith. However, the Devaswom Board submitted before the High Court the company’s explanation that the halal certification was printed because the jaggery was being sent from the company to Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia and was intended for use there as well. The procedures and tenders for purchasing the jaggery, along with other procedures and conditions, were submitted before the Devaswom Bench. Without specifically mentioning the use of jaggery with halal certification, the High Court directed that materials that are contrary to the customs and rituals of Hinduism, or that are detrimental to its interests, should not be used for offerings, and that this must be ensured in all future contracts for materials. The High Court also ordered that the tender procedures be modified accordingly.
With the Devaswom Bench’s order, a situation has now been created in which halal jaggery or other materials of that nature can no longer be procured for offerings or puja at any Devaswom temple in Kerala. Sabarimala Karma Samithi leader S J R Kumar said that a crucial step had been taken toward the demand of Hindu organizations to ensure the purity of puja materials in all temples.
Meanwhile, the Devaswom Board decided that no new appeals need to be considered for the interviews of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram Melshanthis. Five people for Sabarimala and three for Malikappuram have been selected for the final interview after the vigilance inquiry. The Devaswom Board is considering making all toilets at Pampa free of charge during the Mandala Puja pilgrimage season. This action is being taken in accordance with the High Court’s direction. Devaswom Minister K Muralidharan said that the state government agrees to an investigation by central agencies including the CBI into the Sabarimala gold theft case. The minister also stated that the current special investigation team has not yet been able to make significant progress or identify the route through which the gold was smuggled or the people involved. All Hindu organizations including the Kerala Temple Protection Committee, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Sabarimala Karma Samithi, and Hindu Aikya Vedi are demanding a CBI investigation into the gold theft.
Reference
- LawChakra https://share.google/TakIl1Jos5wTXGv8W
- : Bar and Bench https://share.google/M3sqskkPCtaqXdlic
- YouTube https://share.google/l7nuNHcoQbcWOZTM1
- YouTube https://share.google/rxw4vKMVs1yFnIESr
- High court judgement on usage of halal certified jaggery for sabarimala prasada nivedyam
News at a Glance: High Court directed Travancore Devaswom board to upkeep the tradition, religious custom and purity of materials along with quality checking in all the products purchased for temple rituals.
Academic Insight: It is a first step in blocking Halal economy and economic Jihad
Social Media Pulse: Viral in social media
On Our Reading List: Bar and Bench, Mathrubhumi, Manorama, Janmabhumi, Indian Express, times of India
Article by: G K Suresh Babu