Smartphone ban at TN temples: What devotees say about Rs 5 fee

The Tamil Nadu government has banned the use of smartphones at 52 major temples in the state. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department brought the restriction into effect on September 1.

The Federal visited the Vadapalani Andavar Temple in Chennai to seek devotees’ responses on the government’s new move. It has drawn a mixed response, with some welcoming it to preserve the sanctity of places of worship and others questioning the Rs 5 deposit fee, additional queues, and the security of their devices.

What minister said

Devotees carrying smartphones are required to deposit them at a designated counter before darshan and collect them after worship against a token or acknowledgement. Basic phones without cameras are exempt.

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HR&CE Minister S Ramesh has said the measure is intended to prevent photography, video recording, selfies and reels inside temples, which, he said, could disturb the spiritual atmosphere and inconvenience other devotees.

The department has cited a December 2022 order of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court as the legal basis for the restrictions. Similar curbs are already in force at major temples in Madurai, Tiruchendur, Palani and Rameswaram. The latest move extends the phone-deposit system to 52 senior-grade temples across the State.

Devotees divided

At Vadapalani, several devotees said the restriction was justified. Kanimozhi, a tourist from Malaysia, said a phone-free environment would help devotees concentrate on prayer. Swathi, another devotee, said the additional queue was a reasonable inconvenience if it helped prevent the taking of photographs and reels inside the temple.

Others, however, questioned whether the arrangements were adequate, particularly at crowded temples.

“There is a real need for proper facilities here,” said Suresh Babu, a devotee, suggesting that better amenities and facilities such as free mobile charging could be considered instead of the restriction.

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Yogesh, who was visiting with his family, said the Rs 5 fee could add up for larger groups and sought free lockers and better arrangements for the safekeeping of phones.

Fee under scrutiny

The Rs 5 charge has become a separate point of contention. Critics have pointed to the potential collections at temples that attract thousands of devotees every day.

The HR&CE Department, however, has said the fee is intended to meet the operational expenses of the deposit counters, including staff, lockers and related infrastructure, rather than generate revenue for temples.

Ramesh has also indicated that the fee could be waived if devotees face inconvenience.

The measure has also raised questions about the authority under which it has been introduced. Ramesh, president of the Temple Worshipers Society, has cited Rule 14 of the Trustee Rules and questioned whether the government could impose the restriction and collect the fee without a specific order from the temple trustees.

BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan has also criticised the blanket nature of the restriction, suggesting that curbs could instead be limited to sensitive areas such as the sanctum sanctorum.

The government has said certain categories of devotees, including pregnant women, parents carrying infants, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, should not be subjected to the restriction.