Places of public worship to be open to all sections and classes of Hindus.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force or any custom or usage or any instrument having effect by virtue of any such law or any decree or order of court, every place of public worship which is open to Hindus generally or to any section or class thereof, shall be open to all sections and classes of Hindus; and no Hindu of whatsoever section or class shall, in any manner, be prevented, obstructed or

Published in the Kerala Gazette Extraordinary No. 138, dated the 31st December, 1965.

1 Omitted by Act 8 of 1968. 2 Substituted by Act 8 of 1968. 3 20-04-1966. vide Notification no. 1147/D-Spl. 1/66. dated 15-04-1966 published in the Kerala Gazette No. 16 dated 19th April 1966.

discouraged from entering such place of public worship, or from worshipping or offering prayers thereat, or performing any religious service therein, in the like manner and to the like extent as any other Hindu of whatsoever section or class may so enter, worship, pray or perform:

Provided that in the case of a place of public worship which is a temple founded for the benefit of any religious denomination or section thereof, the provisions of this section shall be subject to the right of that religious denomination or section, as the case may be, to manage its own affairs in matters of religion.