2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 86841
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Honourable Mr.Justice D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY
V.SUNDARAM – Appellant
Versus
THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR – Respondent
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8. R.Muthu S/o.Rajamanickam residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108
9. Palanisamy S/o.Periyasamy residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108
10.K.Mari S/o.Kulandhai, residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108
11.P.Kalidas S/o.Periyasamy, residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108
12.A.Selvam S/o.Arumugam, residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108
13.P.Bagiyaraj S/o.Palani, residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108
##PAGE3##14.R.A.Murugesan S/o.Annamalai, residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108
15.Annadurai S/o.Govindhan, residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108
16.A.Mohan S/o.Arumugam, residing at Adidravidar Street, Ramanayakkanpalayam Post, Attur Taluk, Salem District - 636108 ..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the official respondents 1 to 3 to monitor and ensure that due representation is provided to the Milagu Kattan Adidravidar Community in equal proportion on par with other Sect for enabling them to take part in Arulmigu Muthu Mariamman Temple Chariot Festival slated for 27.08.2026 in pursuant to the resolution of the Peace Committee dated 21.07.2026 besides forbearing the private respondents 7 to 16 to act in such manner preventing the Milagu Kattan Adi Dravidar Community from taking part in the above festival and pass such further or other orders.
For Petitioner(s): MR.S.HAJANAZIRUDEEN Senior Counsel for Mr.M.Rajendiran For Respondent(s): MRS. INTHU KARUNAKARAN SPECIAL GP for R1 TO R3.
##PAGE4##MR. DURAI GUNASEKARAN GOVT ADVOCATE for R4 TO R6.
Mr.G.MOHAMMED ASEEF FOR R7 TO 16
ORDER
The Prayer in the Writ Petition is for a mandamus directing the official respondents 1 to 3 to monitor and ensure that due representation is provided to Milagu Kattan Adidravidar Community in equal proportion on par with the other sect enabling them to take part in Arulmigu Muthu Mariamman Temple Chariot Festival slated on 27.08.2026.
2. When the matter came up for hearing the learned Special Government Pleader would submit that already peace committee meeting was held and without reference to the caste or creed, everyone was permitted to take part in the festival and the festival is going on. Therefore the prayer in the Writ Petition has become infructuous. She would further submit that in the peace committee, it was agreed that everybody will be permitted to participate in the temple festival, however, with reference to ‘fiuf;fhuh;fs; chpik’ (Karaikarargal Rights), it was agreed that the parties will approach the Civil Court and get relief.
##PAGE5##3. In reply thereof, the learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner would submit that even though the people from the petitioners caste were permitted to participate this year and also from the next year, steps should be taken to ensure that such a situation does not recur in future years.
4. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.
5. With reference to temple entry and participation in the festival, the Tamil Nadu Temple Entry Authorisation Act, 1947 itself is very clear that nobody can be restrained on the basis of the caste. This Court has also repeatedly passed orders that on the basis of a non existing thing called ‘caste’
nobody can be prevented entry or participation in the temple festival.
6. Therefore, if any person prevents another person from entering the temple on casteist grounds, particularly if a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste is prevented from entering the