The Court emphasizes the obligation of the authorities to conduct community festivals in a secular manner following prior judicial orders.

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 to conduct the Masi Festival of Arulmigu Mahamariyamman Temple existing at Jameen Elampalli Village, Paramathi Velur Taluk, Namakkal District from 10.3.2026 to 27.03.2026 in a secular Manner by considering petitioner’s representation dated 09.02.2026 For Petitioner(s): Mr.V.Ragavachari for Mr.Ma.P.Thangavel For Respondent(s): Mr.T.M.Rajangam for R1 Government Advocate Mr.S.Ravichandran for R2 to R4 Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to conduct the Masi Festival of Arulmigu Mahamariyamman Temple existing at Jameen Elampalli Village, Paramathi Velur Taluk, Namakkal District from 10.3.2026 to 27.03.2026 in a secular Manner by considering petitioner’s representation dated 09.02.2026.

2. According to the petitioner, the petitioner is the hereditary trustee /

Dharmakartha for the temple, namely, ‘Sri Vinayagar Kandiamman, Sri Maha Mariyamman, Bathrakali Amman Temples’ situated in Jameen Elampalli, Nanakkal District and the said temple exist for more than 10 decades. Further, during every year, annual masi festival is being conducted during english calendar month of March by collecting a nominal donation for each family members from the six villages. While so, during the year 2023, at the time of collecting donation from each family members from the six villages, a dispute arose among the community members as to who has to collect and who has to conduct festival. Thereafter, three peace committee meetings were conducted by the revenue officials. This Court by an order dated 10.03.2025 in W.P.No.8211 of 2025 directed the respondents 1 and 2 therein to conduct the festival, however, the respondents therein failed to obey the same. Hence Contempt Petition No.967 of 2025 was filed and a direction was issued on 23.06.2025 indicating that “in view of the conflicting claims that are made, and to avoid conducting a roving enquiry, it is made clear that from next year onwards, the Assistant Commissioner shall act as the observer from the beginning. It shall be ensured that the entire temple festival is conducted in a secular manner, without any reference to caste. If anybody creates commotion or employs one upmanship on the basis of the caste, he should not be permitted, and the entire festival should be conducted with the other devotees.” Since the respondents are trying to create the very same issue for this Year also, the petitioner submitted a representation on 09.02.2026, however, the same has not been considered, hence the present Writ Petition.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that a direction may be issued to the 1^st respondent to follow the procedures / principles laid down in the order passed in W.P.No.8211 of 2025 dated 10.03.2025 and orders dated 27.03.2025 and 09.06.2025 in Contempt Petition No.967 of

2025.

3.a Heard the learned Government Advocate for the 1^st respondent and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 2 to 4 and perused the documents placed on record.

4. In view of the limited prayer sought for by the petitioner and considering the fact that the Masi Festival of Arulmigu Mahamariyamman Temple existing at Jameen Elampalli Village, Paramathi Velur Taluk, Namakkal District commences from 10.3.2026, this Court hereby directs the 1^st respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 09.02.2026 in terms of the order order passed in W.P.No.8211 of 2025 dated 10.03.2025 and orders dated 27.03.2025 and 09.06.2025 in Contempt Petition No.967 of 2025 on merits and pass appropriate orders on or before

09.03.2026, after providing opportunity to the necessary parties.

With the