Indian Supreme Court Stays Law On Qualifications For Hindu Priests

According to The Hindu yesterday, the Supreme Court of India on Monday temporarily stayed enforcement of a new law enacted by the state of Tamil Nadu that provides for the appointment of archakas (priests) in Hindu temples without discrimination on the basis of caste or creed. (See prior posting.) Traditionally archakas were only Brahmins. A 3-judge panel of the court issued the stay in a suit charging that the new law violates Articles 25 and 26 of India's constitution. Challengers argue that those section guaranteeing freedom of religion are violated when the law permits appointment of archakas who do not have the qualifications required by the Agamas. The court gave the state 6 weeks to respond to the lawsuit.