Chilkur trust files implead petition

Chilkur: The chief priest of Sri Balaji temple, CS Rangarajan, on Monday expressed happiness over the Supreme Court's Nine Judge Bench decision to frame questions on larger issues of religious freedom of Hindus and 'Mutt Sampradayas' under Articles 25 & 26 as per Sabarimala Review reference dated November 14, 2019.

"We are also happy to inform that an impleading application has been filed in this matter on behalf of Shri Chilkur Balaji Venkateshwara Swamy to assert the rights of the deity and the temple under the Constitution," he said.

The priest added that the idol worship was a religious belief as per Vedas and Agamas and got Constitutional protection. Its sacrilege hurts the feelings of believers. "The Central government is also duty-bound to bring to the notice of the court about the Section 4(1) of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions), Act of 1991. This protects the religious will of deities forming essential part of the Religious Character of Hindu Temples as it was on August 15, 1947.