Tue Dec 10 06:31:04 UTC 2024: ## Kerala High Court Bans Political Flex Boards in Temples
**Kochi, Kerala – December 10, 2024** – The Kerala High Court has ruled that flex boards praising or congratulating the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) are not permitted in temples. The court’s decision, delivered on Tuesday, stems from a complaint about a flex board at the Thuravoor Mahakshetram temple, featuring photographs of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, the TDB president, and a local MLA. The board congratulated the ruling LDF and the TDB for providing ‘annadanam’ (free food) to Sabarimala pilgrims.
The court deemed the board’s presence inappropriate, stating that devotees visit temples for religious purposes, not to see politicians. The judges emphasized that the TDB, as a trustee, is not the owner of the temples and should not use temple funds for such purposes. The court questioned the role of the temple advisory committee in erecting the board and directed the TDB to report on the existence of similar boards in other temples under its management. The court’s ruling underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity of religious spaces.
First Piper 