CHENNAI: Asserting that it's high time secular courts refrained from interfering in religious practices, the Madras high court on Saturday refused to stay appointment of new pontiff to Srirangam mutt.A division bench of Justice V Parthiban and Justice Krishnan Ramasamy made the observation while refusing to stall the appointment of Yamunachariyar as the 12th pontiff of Srirangam Srimath Andavan Ashramam located in Mylapore, Chennai.Claiming that the appointment is being made in violation of the will executed by late 11th pontiff 'Srimath Srimushnam Andavan' and the general customs of the mutt, S Venkata Varadhan, one of the followers of the mutt, wanted the high court to interfere and stay the 'ashrama sweekaram and pattabhisheka utsavam' of Yamunachariyar scheduled on October 20 and 21 at Srirangam Periya Ashramam.However, wondering how such a relief could be sought through a public interest litigation (PIL), the special bench constituted to hear the plea on urgent basis said that when lakhs of devotees are eagerly waiting for the ceremony, it cannot be stalled at the instance of one follower.The bench further added that when the challenge is primarily based on the will executed by the 11th pontiff, the same can be challenged only in a civil court and not before the high court.Moreover, when the mutt and its activities caters to only a particular community, such issues can be construed as private and not public, the bench said and posted the plea after two weeks for the mutt and the Hindu religious and charitable endowments department.

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