Order tweaked: Place Vinayaga idols near temples or immerse them

A division bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha directed the modification after taking up the matter on Saturday at the instance of Advocate General Vijay Narayan who sought certain clarification with specific reference to clause (i) of the order which permitted Individuals to keep Vinayaga idols in front of their houses after the performance of the ceremony.

The Advocate General submitted that instead of permitting the individuals to place idols in front of their houses after the ceremony is completed, they may be permitted to do so in any one of the nearby temples. However, option to immerse the idols in nearby waterbodies could be left open for them, he added.

Following this, the bench said: “Considering the above, we are inclined to remove clause (i), making it clear that in any one of the temples nearby, individuals can leave the idols in the precinct/outside the temples which have been closed, or to leave the idols in the small temples already permitted to be re-opened.”

The bench also recorded the statement of the Advocate General that the idols would then be taken care of and disposed of by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. On Friday, the bench had given permission to individuals to place the idols outside their houses or temples, or immerse in waterbodies in the vicinity (except the stretch between Santhome and Napier bridge) after noting that the lockdown restrictions have already been relaxed considerably and that there was no time limit anymore on public movement.