Widow has fundamental Right to enter temple and worship? Right to Religion | Right to Worship

Widow has fundamental Right to enter temple and worship? Right to Religion | Right to Worship Case-

Thangamani versus District Collector 2023 Madras High Court The petitioner, Thangamani, is a widow who was denied entry to the Periyakaruparayan temple in Nambiyur Taluk, Erode District, because she is a widow. The petitioner filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court, seeking a direction to the respondents to provide police protection to her and her son so that they could enter the temple and participate in the Aadi festival. The High Court granted the writ petition and directed the respondents to provide police protection to the petitioner and her son. The High Court also observed that it is unfortunate that archaic beliefs that widows should not enter temples continue to prevail in the state. The judgment of the Madras High Court is a welcome step in the fight against gender discrimination. It sends a strong message that widows have the same rights as other women, including the right to worship at temples. Here are some of the key points of the judgment: The High Court held that the respondents' decision to deny the petitioner entry to the temple was based on an archaic and discriminatory belief that widows are impure. The High Court found that the respondents' decision violated the petitioner's fundamental right to freedom of religion.