Disputes regarding individual honors in religious festivals are subject to adjudication under Section 63(e) of the HR & CE Act, and existing judicial orders preventing discriminatory honors must be strictly adhered to by administrative authorities.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.05.2026 CORAM THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY S.Subbiramaniyan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Admn) Department, Chennai 600 034.

2.The District Collector, Sivagangai District.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Admin) Department, Sivagangai District.

4.The Manager/Executive Officer, Sivagangai Samasthana Devasthanam, Sivagangai. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to consider the representation given by the petitioner on 17.05.2026 and representation given in person on 11.05.2026 and direct the respondents to forbear any individual honour in the car festival to be conducted on 29.05.2026 in Eluvan kottai Sri Agilandeswari Ambal Samathe Sri Vishwanatha Swamy temple Situated in the Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai district and conduct the festival without discrimination.

For Petitioner :Mr.K.Muthu Ganesa Pandian For R1 to R3 :Mr.D.Gandhiraj Special Government Pleader For R4 :Mr.S.Manohar *****

O R D E R

The prayer in the Writ Petition is for a Mandamus to consider the representations given by the petitioner on 17.05.2026 and 11.05.2026 and to direct the respondents to forebear any individual honour in the Car Festival to be conducted on 29.05.2026 in Eluvan Kottai Sri Agilandeswari Ambal Samathe Sri Vishwanatha Swamy temple in Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District.

2.The learned Counsel for the petitioner would submit that with reference to last year also, Writ Petitions were filed in W.P(MD)Nos. 18434 and 18536 of 2025, and this Court had issued directions. Similarly, in respect of the previous years also, Writ Petitions were filed and directions were given. Therefore, this year also, the petitioner prays that honour should be given to the people of the entire village and not to any single person.

3.When the matter came up for admission, the learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents 1 to 3 would submit that the petition under Section 63(e) of the HR & CE Act submitted by an individual is pending consideration before the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE Department and as far as the present year is concerned, already in W.P.(MD)No.14107 of 2026, this Court has passed an order not to give any individual honour to any individual person. Therefore, the respondents will abide by the said order.

4.In view of the said submission made, recording that the respondents will be abide by the order passed by this Court and even if any individual claims any individual honour, they have to first get the order of the Joint Commissioner under Section 63(e) of the HR & CE Act, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.