A Shaiva (devotee of Shiva) named D Sureshbabu moved the Madras High Court on 25 June to raise objections against the installation of Sai Baba of Shirdi idols in temples under the HR&CE Department. Through his Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Sureshbabu is seeking a court order for the removal of these idols, claiming that placing white marble idols of Sai Baba goes against the Agamas.

Sureshbabu’s petition highlights the resolution passed in 2016 by a religious conclave, stating that followers of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ (Hinduism) should not worship Sai Baba as a deity. The Shaiva questioned Sai Baba’s religious identity, mentioning the saint’s references to Allah, the Qur’an and Persian verses, along with his interactions with Hindu deities being limited.

The Shaiva contended that Sai Mandirs should not be limited to the worship of Hindus alone. The petitioner further stated that the presence of Sai Baba idols in 7-8 temples, managed by the HR&CE Department, alongside Hindu deities, goes against Agama principles and causes distress to the Hindu community’s sentiments, beliefs, and traditions.

The petitioner requested the removal of Sai Baba idols from the temples that fall under the direct and indirect jurisdiction of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

The Tamil Nadu government oversees a total of 36,635 temples, 45 mutts, 68 temples associated with mutts, 189 charitable endowments, 1,721 specific endowments, and 17 Jain temples.

During the hearing, the bench comprising Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq instructed a State Government counsel to consult with the HR&CE Department within two weeks regarding Sureshbabu’s plea.