IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 11.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR M.Bharath ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, No.215, 1st Floor, Office of District Collector, Namakkal.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruchengode, Namakkal District.

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Paramathi Velur, Namakkal District.

4.The Sub Inspector of Police, Jedarpalayam Police Station, Namakkal District.

5.E.N.Madeswaran ... Respondent PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction in the nature of a writ or order by directing the respondents 3 and 4 to provide with sufficient Police protection to the Masi Festival of Arulmigu Mahamariyamman Temple existing at Jameen Elampalli Village, Paramathi Velur Taluk, Namakkal District from 10.03.2026 onwards for fifteen days by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 16.02.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Nalliyappan For R1 to R4 : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Additional Public Prosecutor For R5 : Mr.Ma.Pa.Thangavel ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 3 and 4 to provide with sufficient Police protection for Masi Festival of Arulmigu Mahamariyamman Temple existing at Jameen Elampalli Village, Paramathi Velur Taluk, Namakkal District for fifteen days from 10.03.2026 onwards by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 16.02.2026.

2.Learned for the petitioner submitted that the representation of the petitioner is that each year during Masi month at Jameen Elampalli Village, Paramathi Velur Taluk, Namakkal District, a festival would be conducted for Arulmigu Mahamariyamman Temple and as per the order of this Court in W.P.No.8211 of 2025, the festival was conducted in the year 2025. Hence, he seeks for Police protection.

3.Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents

1 to 4 submitted that the petitioner claiming exclusive right on the basis of caste and not permitting others to conduct and participate in the temple festival. Hence, there is likelihood of law and order if the petitioner’s group who are B party are permitted to conduct the festival.

4.Learned counsel for the 5^th respondent submits that pursuant to the order passed by this Court in W.P.No.9433 of 2026 dated 06.03.2026, a peace committee meeting was conducted by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchengode/2^nd respondent on 09.03.2026. Finding that the petitioner’s group take a rigid stand not permitting the other caste people to participate in the festival, the 2^nd respondent directed the 1^st respondent herein to conduct the festival and the jurisdictional Police to give adequate Police protection.

Now the temple festival is in progress.

5.Considering the submissions and perusal of the materials, it is seen that pursuant to the order passed by this Court on 06.03.2026 in W.P.No.9433 of 2026, a peace committee meeting conducted, the petitioner participated in the meeting, his name is shown in Serial No.2 of B party. The outcome of the peace committee meeting is that if both A and B parties agreed to jointly conduct the festival, it can be conducted under the guidance of the 1^st respondent and the Police to give required Police protection to maintain law and order. This conditional order is accepted by this Court. For better appreciation, scanned reproduction of the order of the peace committee meeting is as follows:

6.In view of the above, the petitioner is permitted to participate in the temple festival as per the aforesaid conditions of the peace committee meeting. If there is any violation to conditions of the peace committee meeting, the respondent Police to take appropriate action against the person who breaches the same.

7.In the result, this Writ Petition Criminal is disposed of. No costs.

11.03.2026 Index: Yes/No Speakin