On Friday, the Madras High Court gave directions to the police authorities in Erode district of Tamil Nadu so that they ensure a widowed woman and her son can be permitted to participate in a local temple festival. Justice Anand Venkatesh said that a woman’s status and her identity do not depend on her marital status and, nobody has the right to stop a woman from entering a temple only just for the reason that she is a widow.
The Court heard the petition where a resident alleged both the petitioner and her son that were not permitted to enter the local temple and participate in upcoming the temple festival because she was a widow. The petitioner told the Court that she was threatened by some locals as they believed that if she enters a temple then they might make the temple impure. But the main fact was that her late husband used to be the priest at that temple where she wished to offer her prayers.
The judge said that a woman if a woman is a widow then also her status and identity cannot be taken from her. Hence, the villagers have no right to stop both of them from attending the festival and worshiping God. This system cannot be continued in a civilized society where society is governed by the rule of law. And if such an attempt is made by anyone to stop her from entering the temple then action must be taken against them. The Court directed that the local police call those persons who threatened her and clearly inform them that they cannot stop her from entering the temple and attending the which is scheduled for August 9 and 10 2023.
WRITTEN BY – ABHIPRA AGARWAL, COLLEGE NAME – CHANDERPRABHU JAIN COLLEGE OF HIGHER STUDIES, GGSIPU, AN INTERN UNDER LEGAL VIDHIYA
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