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: Preventing SC Devotees from Temple Entry on Caste Grounds is
In a firm reaffirmation of constitutional values, the has declared that preventing members of from entering a temple on caste grounds constitutes the and a violation of . The court warned that perpetrators of such acts are liable for prosecution under law.
A Festival Disrupted by Caste Lines
The case arose from a filed by V. Sundaram, a member of the Milagu Kattan Adidravidar Community in Salem district. Sundaram sought directions from the , , and to ensure for his community in the annual chariot festival of the , scheduled for . The petitioner alleged that private respondents were preventing members of his community from participating in the festival.
Resolution and the State's Stand
When the matter came up for hearing, the Special Government Pleader informed the court that a meeting had already been held on . The committee had resolved that everyone, regardless of caste or creed, would be permitted to take part in the festival. Consequently, the state argued that the petition had become as the festival was already underway without .
However, the committee also recorded that with respect to ' '—the traditional rights to conduct the festival—the parties would need to approach a civil court for appropriate relief.
Petitioner's Concern for the Future
, appearing for Sundaram, acknowledged that this year's participation had been ensured. But he pressed for a broader assurance, urging the court to direct steps to prevent a recurrence of such caste-based exclusion in future years.
Court's Emphatic Rejection of Caste Barriers
Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy took a strong view of the matter, grounding his observations in statutory and constitutional law. He noted that the , categorically prohibits any restriction on temple entry based on caste. The court further observed that it had repeatedly held that a non-existing concept like 'caste' cannot be used to bar anyone from entering a temple or participating in its festivals.
In a pivotal passage, the court stated:
"Therefore, if any person prevents another person from entering the temple on, particularly if a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste is prevented from entering the temple, such an act would amount to theand would constitute a violation of theguaranteed underof India. The person perpetrating such an act would be liable for prosecution in accordance with law."
Balancing Immediate Relief with Future Rights
The court recorded the state's submission that there would be no in future years either, with respect to participation. As for the traditional rights to conduct the festival or temple administration, the court left it open for the petitioner or any devotee to approach the appropriate authority under , or the civil court.
Case Disposed with Observations
Accepting that the immediate grievance had been addressed, the court closed the . It made clear that its observations would serve as a reminder of the against . The court directed that the connected miscellaneous petition also stands closed.
The judgment reinforces the inviolable principle that temple doors must remain open to all, and any attempt to shut them on caste lines will attract legal consequences. For the Milagu Kattan Adidravidar Community, this year's festival may have been secured, but the court's strong words ensure that the fight for equal participation continues to rest on solid constitutional ground.
