Supreme Court says caste no bar for appointment of non-hereditary temple trustee: 'Race, religion, caste and language human constructs'

The Supreme Court in the case Vinod Kumar M.P. And Ors Versus The Malabar Devaswom Board And Ors observed and has reiterated the principle that the selection to positions of non-hereditary trustee of temples cannot be caste-based.

The bench comprising of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Aravind Kumar was hearing the present matter.

The bench in the case was hearing the challenge against the Kerala High Court order, wherein the court set aside trustees in Devaswoms or Temples, which are controlled institutions under the Malabar Devaswom Board, MDB.

The High Court in the case also laid down the directions for fresh appointments as per the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Institutions Act.

The High Court judgment was challenged by the previously appointed trustees in the present petition.

The bench in the case clarified that the direction laid down in the impugned judgment 'will not have any bearing on the eligibility of the petitioner(s) for being considered for future appointments'.