Beyond Worship: The Legal, Economic, And Gendered Paradoxes Of Idol Personhood In India
- IJLLR Journal
- Mar 10
- 1 min read
Sahana Srinivas, School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore
ABSTRACT
The recognition of idols as juristic persons in Indian law has led to significant legal, economic, and social implications. While originally intended to protect religious endowments and temple wealth, this legal fiction has evolved into an unchecked financial and governance framework that raises fundamental concerns about accountability, taxation, commercialization, and gender justice. This paper critically examines whether idol personhood serves its intended religious function or has become a mechanism for financial exploitation and legal immunity. Through a jurisprudential and comparative legal analysis, it explores how temple trusts accumulate vast wealth while avoiding taxation, financial disclosure, and corporate governance regulations. The paper also scrutinizes the commercialization of religious institutions, arguing that idol personhood has facilitated large-scale economic activity under the guise of religious autonomy. Additionally, it highlights the gender biases entrenched in temple governance, questioning why idols are granted legal personhood while women remain excluded from key religious roles. By contrasting India's approach with Western legal systems, this research advocates for reforming idol personhood through regulatory oversight, mandatory financial audits, and gender-inclusive temple administration. Ultimately, the paper argues that idol personhood, while culturally significant, should not serve as a legal shield for financial mismanagement and systemic inequalities.
Keywords: Idol Personhood, Legal Personality, Temple Trusts, Financial Regulation, Religious Autonomy, Gender Bias
