‘Equality in Worship is Non-Negotiable’: Madras High Court Slams Officials Over Caste-Based Temple Entry Ban
Court recalled Tamil Nadu’s long history of temple entry struggles, saying access to places of worship cannot depend on caste or court orders
The Madras High Court at Madurai Bench declared that equality in worship is “non-negotiable"
The Madras High Court has held that equality in worship is “non-negotiable,” condemning officials in Karur district for their failure to ensure temple access to Scheduled Caste devotees at the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple in Chinna Dharapuram.
Justice B. Pugalendhi, in the order dated September 17, 2025, said the denial of temple entry reflected a “betrayal of constitutional responsibility” by administrators entrusted with safeguarding fundamental rights.
Two writ petitions were filed before the court. One was filed by Vanniyakulachathiriyar Nala Arakattalai, led by its president Murugan, and another was filed by Scheduled Caste devotee Marimuthu. While the first petition sought protection for temple trustees and devotees, the second challenged an administrative order that kept the temple closed and demanded that all devotees be allowed to worship without discrimination.
The judgment began with a historical reminder of Tamil Nadu’s legacy of temple entry struggles. Justice Pugalendhi traced the arc from the Vaikom Satyagraha of 1924–25, through the Guruvayur movement of 1931–32, to the landmark 1939 Madurai temple entry, where reformers like A. Vaidyanatha Iyer and Scheduled Caste leader P. Kakkan broke caste barriers at the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s words from that era, the judge said temple entry for the oppressed was not a concession but the restoration of God’s house to all His children.
“Yet, in 2025, the very land where Gandhi rejoiced in the breaking of caste barriers now presents the irony of Scheduled Caste devotees being excluded,” Justice Pugalendhi observed. He lamented that what was achieved in 1939 through moral conviction is now possible only through judicial intervention.
Court reserved its sharpest criticism for the district administration. It said the Karur Collector, instead of taking firm measures such as convening peace meetings, directing the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to enforce joint worship, and requisitioning police protection, had hidden behind “apprehension of disturbance” for seven years. Such inaction, court declared, amounted to “administrative cowardice".
Court also observed that the Superintendent of Police was duty-bound to ensure access for all worshippers and act against caste-based obstructionists under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Instead, the officer allowed the temple to remain shut since 2018, effectively surrendering to discrimination.
“Their inaction is not neutrality; it is betrayal,” the judge remarked, adding that officials who refuse to enforce constitutional guarantees “confess that they are unfit to discharge the duties of their office".
"A question arises then as to what the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police are for? They are not ornamental posts; they are constitutional offices. They cannot enjoy the powers and privileges of the Constitution, while refusing to enforce its most fundamental guarantees," court said.
Court opined that if the Collector had acted with firmness and if the Superintendent of Police had discharged his legal obligations, the temple would never have been closed since 2018.
Court reprimanded the responsible officers, saying that "officers who live off the fruits of the Constitution but refuse to implement its commands betray their oath. They cannot wield authority in the name of the Constitution while trampling upon the equality it enshrines. They cannot preside over a “People’s Government” while denying that the people include the Scheduled Castes also".
Following the High Court’s interim order on July 15, members of the Scheduled Caste community were finally able to enter and worship at the temple. However, the occasion was marred by obstruction from certain individuals. Police have since registered a case against 17 persons accused of disrupting worship, some of whom claimed to be temple administrators.
Justice Pugalendhi directed that the criminal case be pursued with urgency, warning that only strict legal consequences would deter future attempts to deny constitutional rights.
“The law must speak firmly, so that no person or group ever again dares to deny temple entry on grounds of caste,” the court held.
Moreover, court, while recording its strongest condemnation against the responsible administrative officials, held that the State Government is expected to take immediate corrective measures, including replacement of administrators who will uphold constitutional values in letter and spirit.
With the above observations and directions, court disposed of the petitions.
Case Title: Vanniyakulachathiriyar Nala Arakattalai vs. The District Collector, Karur
Order Date: September 17, 2025
Bench: Justice B. Pugalendhi