Kerala HC Directs TDB to Exercise Caution Over ‘Halal-Certified’ Materials, Says Sabarimala Prasadam Must Follow Hindu Religious Customs
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to exercise due care and caution while procuring materials used for the preparation of Nivedyam and Prasadam at Sabarimala, ensuring that they meet prescribed quality standards and are consistent with the Hindu religious customs and requirements followed at the temple.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the direction while disposing of a petition concerning the reported use of Halal-certified jaggery in the preparation of Prasadam at the Hindu temple of Sabarimala.
The petition was filed in 2021 by S.J.R. Kumar, a devotee of Lord Ayyappa, who raised objections over the use of jaggery bearing a Halal certification mark in the preparation of offerings. The petitioner contended that such certification related to the religious practices of another faith and argued that its use in offerings to Lord Ayyappa was inconsistent with the long-standing Hindu customs and practices followed at Sabarimala.
The petitioner also raised concerns regarding the quality of the jaggery and sought directions to ensure that only pure and quality ingredients were used in the preparation of Nivedyam and Prasadam.
TDB's explanation
The TDB informed the court that the jaggery had been supplied by Vardhan Agro Processing Ltd., Maharashtra, which had supplied a substantial quantity during the 2019–20 period. Some of the packaging carried a Halal certification mark.
According to the Board, the manufacturer had obtained the certification because it exported jaggery to Gulf countries. The Sabarimala Special Commissioner supported the Board's explanation, while the designated Food Safety Officer informed the court that the presence of the Halal declaration on the packaging did not, by itself, violate the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The Board further explained that reduced Prasadam requirements during the 2019–20 period resulted in a substantial quantity of jaggery remaining in storage at Sannidhanam. The stock was subsequently tested in 2021 and found unsuitable for use, following which it was auctioned. The auction notice stated that the stock was not suitable for use in the preparation of Vazhipadu offerings.
Court's observations on quality
The High Court examined the Food Safety Laboratory reports and noted that the tested jaggery was satisfactory in quality. The testing did not detect any substance or element that would make the jaggery unsuitable for preparing Prasadam.
However, the Bench observed that the TDB ought to have exercised greater care to ensure that materials supplied for use at the temple did not carry symbols, markings or declarations that could give rise to an apprehension of conflict with the religious customs and practices followed at Sabarimala.
The court therefore directed the TDB to exercise due care and caution while procuring materials for Nivedyam and Prasadam and to incorporate appropriate conditions in its future e-tender documents.
The directions require the materials used for offerings at Sabarimala to comply with both prescribed quality standards and the Hindu religious customs and requirements applicable to the temple.