Kochi: The Kerala High Court has ruled that bouncers should not be deployed to control crowds in temples. The court explicitly ordered that security personnel wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “Bouncer” and those in inappropriate attire should not be assigned for security duties in temples. This significant directive was issued by Justices A. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar.
The ruling came in response to a petition filed against the deployment of bouncers from a private security agency. These bouncers were reportedly engaged to manage the large crowds during the Valiya Vilakku Ezhunnallippu, a key event of the Vrischikotsavam festival, at the historic Thrippunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple.
The petitioner, N. Prakash, a resident of Maradu, brought the matter to the High Court’s attention after observing bouncers controlling the crowd dressed in black vests and pants, complemented by saffron shawls. Prakash argued that the responsibility for security and crowd control within temple premises traditionally lies with the police and Devaswom guards. He further contended that the engagement of private bouncers constituted a “wrong precedent” and was unsuitable for the sanctity of religious institutions.
During an earlier hearing of the case, the court had taken serious note of the T-shirts worn by the security personnel, specifically the word “Bouncer” printed on their backs, expressing its clear dissatisfaction with such attire in a temple setting. When the case was revisited on Wednesday, the Devaswom Board provided an explanation to the court regarding the circumstances that led to the deployment of bouncers.
The Board clarified that while ex-servicemen were initially assigned for security duties, the overwhelming increase in devotee footfall made it difficult for them to effectively manage the crowds. The Devaswom Board acknowledged that the decision to deploy personnel with “Bouncer” written on their attire for security was “unfortunate” and assured the court that such an incident would not be repeated in the future.
Following these submissions, the High Court, in settling the petition, reiterated its directive. It unequivocally stated that individuals clad in inappropriate attire or employed as bouncers must not be deployed for security roles in any temple, thereby upholding the sanctity and traditional decorum expected within places of worship.