JUDGMENT :

M. Satyanarayana Murthy, J.

1. As the specific contention of the petitioners in all the writ petitions is one and the same, we find it to expedient to decide all the writ petitions by common order. For convenience sake, the Writ Petition No. 40252 of 2015 is taken as lead petition.

2. The Writ Petition No. 40252 of 2015 is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of mandamus to declare the G.O. Ms. No. 426 Revenue (Endowments-I) Department, dated 9.11.2015 issued by the respondent No. 1 i.e., State of Andhra Pradesh incorporating Rule 4(2) and Rule 18 of A.P. Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Immovable Properties and Other Rights (other than Agricultural Lands) Leases and Licenses Rules, 2003, prohibiting non-Hindus in participation of tender-cum-auction process of shops or otherwise to obtain lease or license to carry on business in immovable property belonging to respondent No. 3-temple, as bad, illegal, arbitrary, opposed to law and violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India.

3. The petitioners were inducted as tenants in various shops, plots belonging to respondent No. 3-temple and carrying on their b