Nepal’s Supreme Court has ruled that religious nudity is not obscene and has allowed naked Naga Sadhu* monks to visit Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple and other Hindu shrines, the Kathmandu Post reports.
The ban was sought by lawyer Yagya Mani Neoplan. He had argued that such ascetics should be banned from temples because they walk around naked and smear ash on people with their penises. In addition, according to him, Naga Sadhu use their genitals to lift weights and perform other tricks.
The Supreme Court concluded that in the context of religious tradition, the nudity of ascetics cannot be considered obscene. The judges also rejected the plaintiff’s argument that providing money, food and shelter to Naga Sadhu is a waste of resources. They argued that not every action should be evaluated from an economic perspective.
Nudity is only a physical condition, usually meaning the exposure of genitals or body parts. Indecency is something that arouses sexual desire or is considered shameful and offensive by society and culture. Therefore, not all nudity is indecent, the Supreme Court of Nepal has stated.
*Naga Sadhus are ascetic Hindu saints from monastic orders who renounce worldly possessions to seek spiritual enlightenment, often associated with Shaiva and Vaishnava sects. They are known for their ash-smeared bodies, matted hair, and often being unclothed (Naga meaning nude). Living secluded lives and practicing austerities, they are organized into groups called akharas and have historically been protectors of temples.
Illustrative Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz : https://www.pexels.com/photo/men-sitting-near-wall-as-sculptures-11466244/
