IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17-02-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Writ Petition No.6606 of 2026 N.Samaran, S/o Nagan, No.1, Padavattamman Kovil Street, Thiruporur 603 110, Chengalpattu District. .. Petitioner /versus/

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.

2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Kanchipuram District.

3.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil, Thiruporur.

4.The District Collector, Chengalpattu District. Mamallapuram Range, Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 3 to prohibit usage of caste names in the invitations of the ensuing Masi Bramochavam 2026 of the 3^rd respondent Temple/Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil, Thiruporur and to permit only the persons duly authorized by the 3^rd respondent/Executive Officer to participate as “Sri Padhamthangis” to carry the idol during procession and pass suitable orders.

For Petitioner :Mr. S.Abhijeet Krishna For Respondents :Mr.J.Ravindran, AAG Asst.by Mr.K.Karthikeyan, GA (Hr & CE) for R1 to R3 Mr.A.M.Ayyadurai, GA for R4 Mr.J.Subbiah, GA (Crl.Side) for R5 and R6 -----------

ORDER The writ petition is filed for a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 to 3 to prohibit the use of caste names in the invitations for the ensuing Masi Brahmochavam, 2026 of the 3^rd respondent temple, namely Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil, Thiruporur; to permit only duly authorised persons to participate as “Sri Padhamthangis” to carry the idol during the procession; and to pass suitable orders, thereby rendering justice.

2. As far as the invitation is concerned, it is true that some of the Ubayatharar names also carry their caste names. In this regard, already the Division Bench has passed an order in W.P.(MD)No.1697 of 2025 to avoid the use of the caste names in the temple invitations.

3.The learned Additional Advocate General brought to the notice of this Court an order of the Honourable Supreme Court of India, wherein it was directed that, on a particular occasion, the name was ordered to be printed as “Adi Dravidar” instead of “Oorar”. On a reading of both the orders, it can be seen that the purport is to avoid caste discrimination.

4. The learned Additional Advocate General submitted that the temple, as such, is not using any caste name. However, it can be seen that when Ubayatharars give their names along with caste names, as per the import contained in the judgment of the Division Bench, the caste name should be avoided. Since the invitation for this year has already been printed and circulated and the festival commences on 20.02.2026, no further directions can be issued for the present year.

5. However, from the ensuing festival onwards,whenever any Ubayadharar gives his name with the suffix indicating his caste, the suffix alone should be dropped and only the name shall be printed. The learned Additional Advocate General also submitted that in order to implement the same in the next festival he has to get instructions.

6/“gpwg;bghf;Fk; vy;yh caph;f;Fk;” is the law. Caste is a thing, that exists only in the minds of the people. Article 14 of the Constitution of India, enshrines the principle of equality. The very purpose of India becoming a Republic is to treat everyone equally and the concept of caste is based only on birth and birth alone divides people. The endeavour of every authority in the country, should only be to annihilate caste and not to perpetuate the same. If the festival in which the Government Department namely, the HR and CE Department, is also involved, is conducted in a manner so as to propagate caste and prominently to advertise or take pride in one’s caste, the same cannot be permitted. Therefore, the prayer made by the learned Additional Advocate General that it should be left to open t