Kochi: The Kerala High Court has strongly criticized the Travancore Devaswom Board for placing flex boards inside temple premises. Justice Anil K. Narendran stated that regardless of whether the board belongs to the Devaswom Board or not, it should not be placed inside temples. The court condemned the action, likening the placement of the flex boards inside the temple to how they are installed on the roadside.
The flex boards, featuring the image of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, were installed as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Travancore Devaswom Board, where the Chief Minister was the inaugurator. These boards were placed in several temples across the region, sparking criticism.
Justice Anil K. Narendran, leading a division bench, reiterated that such boards should not be placed inside temples, emphasizing that temple premises are sacred and not meant for such displays. He also reminded the court about an earlier interim order by another single bench, which imposed a fine of ₹5000 for each unauthorized flex board.
The High Court took a firm stance on the matter, stating that placing such boards in a temple, even by the Devaswom Board, is inappropriate and violates the sanctity of the temple. The issue was first brought to light by a local media outlet, Janam TV. The Travancore Devaswom Board had issued an official circular on October 17, directing the installation of these boards in temples as part of the jubilee celebrations, leading to a widespread display of flex boards even inside temple premises.
