The constitutional mandate for a casteless society justifies the refusal to permit statue erection based on caste implications.

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.(MD) No.5453 of 2026 S.Kumarasamy ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government/Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The District Collector, District Collector Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

3. The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram District.

4. Revenue Divisional Officer, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District.

5. The Assistant Director of Panchayats, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned proceedings issued by the second respondent herein in Na.Ka.COLREV/10561/2025-C2 dated 07.11.2025, quash the same, and further direct the respondents herein to grant necessary permission to erect an unveil the Bronze statue of freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman in petitioner’s own patta land in survey No. 362/1D1 of Uadikulam village, Mustakkuruchi Village Panchayat, within a reasonable time as may be specified by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.E.V.N.Siva For R1, 2, 4 & 5 : Mr.M.Lingadurai Special Government Pleader For R3 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

O R D E R

The writ petition is filed to quash the impugned proceedings dated

07.11.2025 and consequently, direct the respondents herein to grant necessary permission to erect a bronze statue of the freedom fighter, Veerapandiya Kattabomman in the petitioner’s own patta land in survey No.362/1D1 of Uadikulam village, Mustakkuruchi Village Panchayat.

2. A perusal of the above prayer shows that no authority or no court would deny the same, considering the fact that Veerapandiya Kattabomman was a great freedom fighter and is a hero to everyone in this part of the world. Alas, the authorities have rejected the permission to erect his statue on the ground that the petitioner and his caste people are tracing casteism to the said great king/leader also and on that basis, now the statue is sought to be erected in the private land.

3. By the impugned order, the authorities have noted with pain as to how the erection of statutes and Memorials of some other great leaders who fought for our freedom are now taking a caste consolidation, shape and every year, huge protection is being granted in this part of the world.

4. When people forgetting everything else, which are the real and tangible things in life, such as the freedom fighters fighting with great valor to save this country, etc, but remembering and considering only the non-existent thing called ‘caste’, which doesn't have a shape, color, odour or any existence except the existence in the minds of the people, sadly, the authorities are being forced to pass such order to refuse permission to install a statue. The constitutional mandate to create a casteless egalitarian society cannot be forgotten and when the impugned order is passed, keeping that in mind, it cannot be interfered with.

5. Already, a Memorial is built by the Government in Panchalangurichi, Thoothukudi District and nothing prevents the petitioner or others from paying their respects to the great freedom fighter at the said site.

6. With the above observations, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.