BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 13.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P(MD)No.7011 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)No.5790 of 2026 A.Udaiyappan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable and Endowments Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable and Endowments Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

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

4.The Inspector of Police, Kalaiyarkoil Police Station, Kalaiyarkoil Taluk, Sivagangai District.

5.The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Arulmighu Vettudaiyarkalaiamman Temple Kollangudi, Sivagangai District.

6.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Vettudaiyarkalaiamman Temple, Kollangudi, Sivagangai District.

7.U.Marimuthu ...Respondents Writ Petitions are filed under article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1, 2, 5 & 6 to ensure the peaceful performance of the 4^th day Viswakarma Community Mandahapadi scheduled to be held on 29.03.2026 in strict adherence to the Smpradhaya and other religious customs and practices traditionally followed at Arulmighu Vettudaiyarkalaiamman Temple, Kollangudi, Sivagangai District, during the Panguni Festival, by directing the police authorities to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner and the members of the Tamil Nadu Aintholil Viswakarma Samudhaya people Trust fro the peaceful conduct of the said Mandahapadi.

For Petitioner :Mr.R.Rajeshkumar For R1, R2 & R5 :Mr.M.Sarangan Additional Government Pleader For R6 :Mr.P.Mahendran For R3 & R4 :Mr.Gnanasekaran, Government Advocate(Crl.side)

For R7 :Mr.K.C.Ramalingam

ORDER

This writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 6 to ensure the peaceful performance of the 4th day Vishwakarma Community Mandagapadi scheduled to be held on 29.03.2026, in strict adherence to the Sampradaya and other religious customs and practices traditionally followed at Arul Migu Vettudaikaali Amman Temple, Kollangudi Sivagangai District during the Panguni Festival.

2.Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that on the 4th day festival, traditionally the petitioner's father and thereafter, the petitioner, had the customary right to receive the Kalanchi(prasadam) after the Mandagapadi and the same is now suddenly being interfered with by the 7th respondent. The 7th respondent has now floated a new Sangam and through that he is also making collections from the public unauthorizedly and interfering with the right of the petitioner.

3.The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the temple would submit that it is true that traditionally on the 4th day of the Mandagapadi, the Prasada was given to the petitioner. But now the 7th respondent and others are also claiming right in respect of the same.

4.The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the 7th respondent would submit that if time is given, he would place on record his counter and would submit that they are also entitled to receive the Kalanchi.

5.I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.

6.At the outset, the claim itself is made on a basis which cannot be considered. In any event, customarily, if the petitioner's family or the 7th respondent or anybody else is entitled for any right, it will be open for them to move the Joint Commissioner under Section 63 of HR&C Act. If the petitioner or the 7th respondent or any other person whatsoever file an application under Section 63 of the Act, the same shall be dealt with as expeditiously as possible by giving notice to the opposite parties and hearing them and final orders thereon can be passed. As far as the present year is concerned, the authorities and the Executive Officers of the temple can decide either to give Prasadam to every one of the devotee including the petitioner, the 7th respondent and all devotees, irrespective of t