MRS.T. MEENA KUMARI, J.:

1. This appeal is preferred against the judgment and decree passed by the learning single Judge of this Court, in A.S.No.280 of 1983, under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent, whereby the learned single Judge confirmed the judgment and decree dated 28.4.1981 passed in Original Suit No.59 of 1980 by the learned Subordinate Judge, Padmanabhapuram, who held that the suit temple is a private temple belonging to Chekkala Samudayam and decree the suit, setting aside the order of the Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Madras.

2. The brief facts, which are necessary to dispose of this appeal are as follows:

The first respondent-first plaintiff is a temple in Eraniel Village of Kanyakumari District and the second respondent is the Secretary of the Eraniel Chekkala Samudayam, to whom the first respondent-temple belongs. The residents of the locality around the temple are chekkolas by caste and originally their avocation in life was oil crusing. Oil crushing like tapping of doddy was considered to be an ignoble profession in olden days. It was further averred that they were denied entry into temples on the ground of pollution and studiousl