SRI VENKATARAMANA DEVARUAND OTHERS vs THE STATE OF MYSORE AND OTHERS(with connected petition)

The Supreme Court held that the Madras Temple Entry Authorisation Act, 1947, is applicable to temples founded for specific denominations, as the expression 'religious institutions of a public character' in Article 25(2)(b) includes denominational temples. The Court clarified that while Article 25(1) protects individual rights and Article 26(b) protects denominational rights, Article 25(2)(b) imposes regulations that harmonize these rights. The appeal by the trustees was dismissed, affirming the High Court's ruling that the public has the right to worship in the temple, subject to certain limitations during specific ceremonies.