It is never possible to open a shop outside a temple if you are a Hindu. The Supreme Court has made it clear that non-Hindus also have the right to do business outside the temple. To this end, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Andhra Pradesh government to issue licenses and lease shops for non-Hindus at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjun Swami Varla Devasthanam in Srisailam in Kurnool district of the state.
The apex court in its summary judgment made it clear that the state government and the Devasthanam management should stop acting in accordance with any other order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court against licensing or leasing to non-Hindus. A bench of justices AS Bopanna and DY Chandrachur said, “We are instructing that no tenant or shop owner should be excluded from participating in auctions or leases, including shopping complexes, solely on the basis of their religion.”
Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh government had declared under the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1986 that no person can participate in a tender or auction to buy a shop in the shopping complex at Mantidar Chattar unless he is a Hindu. The Supreme Court expressed its displeasure over the Andhra government’s directive.
Addressing the Andhra government, the apex court bench said, “It is a matter of order not to keep liquor shops or anything like that on the temple premises, but non-Hindus will not be allowed to conduct any commercial activities near the temple; There is no reason to say that. How can you say that a non-Hindu cannot sell flowers or toys there? ‘
.