The fundamental right to worship is not restricted to one temple, allowing groups to worship in different temples without coercion.

8. Pathma ...Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition Criminal filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing to grant necessary permission to conduct the temple festival of Arulmigu Veeranagu Kaliamman Temple situated at Thullupatti Village, Nilakottai (Town) and (Taluk), Dindigul District for three days from 08.05.2026 to 10.05.2026 and provide adequate police protection to the festival committee members, and devotees for conducting the temple festival peacefully without any interference from the respondents 5 to 8 and their supporters based on the petitioner's representation dated 02.05.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.N.Rajasekaran For Respondents : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (crl. side)

for R1, R2 and R4 Mr.B.Ramanathan, Additional Government Pleader for R3

ORDER

The present Writ Petition is filed for a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to grant necessary permission to conduct the temple festival of Arulmigu Veeranagu Kaliamman Temple situated at Thullupatti Village, Nilakottai (Town) and (Taluk), Dindigul District for three days from 08.05.2026 to 10.05.2026 and provide adequate police protection to the festival committee members, and devotees for conducting the temple festival peacefully without any interference from the respondents 5 to 8 and their supporters based on the petitioner's representation dated 02.05.2026.

2. Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, learned Government Advocate (Crl.

Side) takes notice for R1, R2 and R4. Mr.B.Ramanathan, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for R3. In view of the order to be passed, notice to R5 to R8 is dispensed with.

3. By consent on either sides, this Writ Petition Criminal is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

4. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that there are two groups in the village, among which, one group is inclined to worship in the old Temple and the other group at new Temple. Hence, the respondents have not granted permission for the festival.

5. This Court is of the considered opinion that worshiping in a temple is a fundamental right. Those who intend to worship the deity in the old temple may do so, while another group wishing to worship in the new temple may also do so. No one can insist or pressurize anyone to worship the deity in a particular temple. Hence, the fourth respondent is directed to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 02.05.2026 forthwith and grant permission to the petitioner and his group to worship and conduct festival in the old temple. The fourth respondent shall also grant adequate police protection for the festival. The third respondent is also at liberty to conduct Peace Committee Meeting between the rival groups in this regard.

6. With these directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No Costs.