High Court bars Nithyananda from entering Madurai Aadheenam

Justice R Mahadevan, while passing orders on a plea directing the state including the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department (HR&CE) to take appropriate action against Nithyananda and protect the mutt, said, “In this case, it is not in dispute that various criminal cases are pending and Nithyananda in his quest for power has been a prolific litigant against various mutts of various beliefs claiming the status of madathipathi of all of them.” 

Also, holding that the “The basic traits required for a person who has denounced worldly pleasures is lacking in Nithyananda as he is behind power and is tainted with allegations regarding sexual practices and abuse in his ashram, run under different philosophy completely alien to Saivite philosophy,” the judge directed the HR&CE Department to ensure that Nithyananda is not permitted to enter the Madurai Aadheenam for whatsoever reasons, pending disposal of the civil suits and initiate police action if he violates the ban. 

Observing that it’s a sorry state of affairs that because of the irregular appointment of Nithyananda, a traditional Aadheenam Mutt is made to knock at the doors of this court seeking justice, Justice Mahadevan said, “The submission put forth by the Arunagirinatha Sri Gnanasambanda Desika Paramacharya Swamigal, the 292nd Madathipathi of  Madurai Aadheenam  that without his knowledge, Nithyananda obtained his signatures in various deeds as well as affidavits is not only incorrigible but also callous.” 

Setting aside Nithyananda’s contention that his removal by the 292nd Aadheenam will not disqualify his appointment, the judge in his order, said, “A person heading the prestigious institution must be consistent in his approach, not above the customary practice of the mutt and the law and should not take decisions according to his own whims and fancies in violation of the procedures followed under Saivite mutts for appointing the successor, which is possible only by elevating a Thambiran appointed as junior pontiff.” 

Moreover, as Nithyananda has admitted and filed an affidavit that he is not the 293rd pontiff, he is not entitled to claim any right as such. 

Further, as his appointment has been revoked and pending adjudication before the Civil Court, he has no right to enter the mutt or any temple under the mutt either as a junior pontiff or 293rd pontiff, Justice Mahadevan added.