The People’s Sanctum by Manuraj Shanmughasundaram (Penguin, 2026) delves into the extensive hundred-year-long journey toward democratizing temple access in South India. This compelling debut work chronicles the struggles faced by the oppressed classes, from gaining access to temple roads to achieving the right to serve as temple priests, known as archakas.
The narrative centers on legislative interventions aimed at state oversight of religious endowments, the judiciary’s stance on customs, denominational rights, and constitutional morality, and the political movements that fueled this transformation. As an advocate at the Madras High Court and a spokesperson for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Shanmughasundaram’s exploration into this topic is both informed and passionate.
The book details the caste-based exclusionary practices maintained by certain classes and traces their challenge back to a local protest in Vaikom, Kerala. This event acted as a catalyst for the self-respect movement in Tamil Nadu, which significantly shaped Dravidian political ideology. The narrative further explores how constitutional courts intervened and how political leaders positioned Tamil Nadu at the forefront of temple reforms.
In a noteworthy chapter titled Centenary of Self-Respect, the author provides an insightful exploration of the Dravidian movement, highlighting the early ideological rifts between Periyar, known as the father of the movement, and the DMK, the oldest surviving Dravidian political party. The book vividly illustrates the DMK’s journey, emphasizing how their anti-caste ideology became a cornerstone of their manifestos and facilitated significant temple reforms whenever they won electoral victories.
As described in the book’s preface, Shanmughasundaram identifies as a student of the Dravidian movement, which is evident in the comprehensive coverage of the self-respect movement, alongside the legislative and judicial actions that facilitated the inclusion of marginalized groups into temple leadership roles. The narrative is particularly enriched by showcasing the modern-day impact of these reforms, including the positive stories of non-dominant caste archakas, and the challenges they continue to face despite legislative efforts and judicial support.
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The book methodically outlines legislative actions from pre-independence initiatives by the Justice Party to constitutional reforms advanced by the DMK. However, it also presents a critical view of judicial interventions, highlighting inconsistencies in pre- and post-constitution judgments. Shanmughasundaram discusses key Supreme Court rulings such as Seshammal and Ors v. State of Tamil Nadu, N Adhityan v. Travancore Devaswom Board, and Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Nala Sangam v. Government of Tamil Nadu, which underscore the judiciary’s challenging role in balancing denominational rights with equality principles.
In the concluding chapter, The Madras Model of Secularism, the author attributes the democratization of temples largely to the Dravidian movement, asserting that no other political movement in India has consistently advocated for temple equality. Despite notable progress, Shanmughasundaram acknowledges that social barriers remain and anticipates the impact of pending Supreme Court decisions, particularly concerning temple entry rights for all Hindus.
The book’s strength lies in its focus on the last century’s socio-political and legal developments, avoiding an overemphasis on ancient history or theological debates common in similar discourses. While academic in tone, The People’s Sanctum remains accessible, making it an enlightening read for legal professionals, enthusiasts of Dravidian politics, and those interested in caste struggles and temple reforms.
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As the Sabarimala judgment looms, the journey that began in Vaikom stands at a pivotal moment. The People’s Sanctum emerges as a timely and significant contribution to discussions on constitutional morality and equality in religious spaces.
MF Philip is an advocate at the Supreme Court of India. The views expressed are personal.
