BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 12.01.2026 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY W.P.Crl.(MD)No.189 of 2026 :

Sikappi ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Sivagangai District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Sivagangai District.

3.The Thasildar, Thasildar Office, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District.

4.The Superintendent of Police, Superintendent office, Sivagangai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Kallal Police Station, Kallal, Sivagangai District.

6.Umadevan 7.Kalimuthu

8.Padmanaban ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing respondent Nos.4 & 5 from anyway permitting respondent Nos.7 to 9 to claim the right or first honor in Marudhudaiya Ayyanar Temple, Arundheeswaran Temple and Seven other village temples are situated in Vetriyiur Village, Sivagangai District and further direct respondent Nos.4 & 5 to allow the participation of all villagers with equal rights and equal treatment without any discrimination in worshipping the god and other traditional activities such as Thalaipakattu, Mulaipaari, Malaimariyathai, Kambuyeduthal, etc. held on Maattu Pongal dated 16.01.2026 and to provide necessary police protection for the same based on the petitioner's representation dated 31.12.2025 and 05.01.2026 and further to pass an order declaring that the directions issued herein shall be of a permanent and continuing nature and shall prevail and be binding for all future years in respect of the said temples and festivals.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.Villavan Kothai For R1 to R3 : Mr.P.Thambidurai, Government Advocate For R4 & R5 : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

W.P.Crl.(MD)No.196 of 2026 :

S.Umadevan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Sivagangai District.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.

4.The Thasildar, Karaikudi Taluk Office, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Kallal Police Station, Sivagangai District.

6.K.Arunachalam ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing respondent Nos.1 to 5 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 04.01.2026 to conduct the “Mattu Pongal Festival” (Festival of Pongal) is going to conduct during 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., in the petitioner's village by following the Customary Practice of Mattu Pongal Street Procession (Veethi Ula) along with carrying Sacred Animal through the Streets and the ritual honoring of the cow as a sacred being/Goddess over 50 years and give adequate police protection.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Udhaya Bharathi For RR1, 3 & 4 : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam, Government Advocate Civil Side For R2 & R5 : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

COMMON ORDER

The petitioner in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.196 of 2026 has filed the present petition seeking a direction to respondent Nos.1 to 5 to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 04.01.2026 for conducting the “Mattu Pongal Festival” (Festival of Pongal), scheduled to be held between 3.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m., in the petitioner’s village by following the customary practice of the Mattu Pongal street procession (Veethi Ula), including carrying the sacred animal through the streets and performing the ritual honouring of the cow as a sacred being/Goddess, which has been in practice for over 50 years, by providing adequate police protection.

2. One Sikappi, the mother of the 6^th respondent in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.196 of 2026, has also filed the aforesaid writ petition in W.P.(MD)No.189 of 2026, seeking to forbear respondent Nos.4 and 5 from in any manner permitting respondent Nos.7 to 9 to claim the right or first honour in Marudhudaiya Ayyanar Temple, Arundheeswaran Temple, and seven other village temp