'Race, Religion, Caste & Language Human Constructs' : Supreme Court Says Caste No Bar For Appointment Of Non-Hereditary Temple Trustee

The Supreme Court recently reiterated the principle that the selection to positions of non-hereditary trustee of temples cannot be caste-based. The bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Aravind Kumar was hearing a challenge against the Kerala High Court order which set aside previous appointments of non-hereditary trustees in Devaswoms/Temples, which are controlled institutions under. The bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Aravind Kumar was hearing a challenge against the Kerala High Court order which set aside previous appointments of non-hereditary trustees in Devaswoms/Temples, which are controlled institutions under the Malabar Devaswom Board. Notably, the petitioner before the High Court contended that the said appointments were made in violation of the previous orders of the High Court which held that a person actively involved in politics, whether or not holding an official post, is not eligible to be appointed as a non-hereditary trustee in temples under the Malabar Devaswom Board. However, in disregard to the High Court orders, the petitioner contended, the commissioner appointed two active politicians from the ruling party, one busy professional and one unrelated person as the non-hereditary trustees.