'God is Neutral, Caste is Man-Made': Madras High Court Slams Temple Entry Discrimination

The Madras High Court recently held that Scheduled Caste devotees cannot be denied entry or participation in temple rituals or festivals, stating that “god is always considered to be neutral” and caste is a man-made construct.

The bench of Justice N. Anand Venkatesh while hearing a plea filed by a Dalit petitioner, Venkatesan, from Elayaperumal Nallur Village in Ariyalur district, delivered the decision on July 17, 2025.

Venkatesan had approached the court after being barred, along with his community, from participating in the temple car festival of Arulmigu Puthukudi Ayyanar Temple, scheduled from July 16 to 31.

The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus against the district and police authorities, asking them to ensure his and his community’s right to worship and participate in the festival was upheld. The respondents included district administration officials, police officers, and one private individual allegedly involved in the exclusionary act.

During the hearing, the government counsel informed the court that the temple was not under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. However, the judge clarified that this did not affect the right of Scheduled Caste devotees to enter and worship, especially if the temple is open to the general public.

Justice Venkatesh, in his strongly worded judgment, cited Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Temple Entry Authorisation Act, 1947, emphasizing that every Hindu, regardless of caste, is entitled to enter and worship in any Hindu temple.

“Caste and community are creations of human beings, and god is always considered to be neutral,” the court remarked, calling caste-based discrimination in temples an “actionable wrong.”

"If a temple is permitted to be visited by the general public, it assumes the character of a public temple. In such an event, irrespective of the caste or community of the devotees, they must be permitted to offer their prayers to god," he added. 

Court further noted that denying temple access to a Scheduled Caste community was not only unconstitutional but a moral affront to their dignity. It underscored the historic struggle behind the 1947 law, aimed at removing discriminatory barriers and ensuring equality in religious practice.

"This act came into force after a long struggle by many leaders, who wanted to ensure that persons are not prevented from entering into the temples based on their caste. The Act was brought into force as a policy taken by the State Government to remove the disabilities imposed on certain classes of Hindus against entry into Hindu temples in the State," he wrote. 

Issuing clear directions to the authorities, court ordered the Revenue Divisional Officer and police officials to ensure temple access to all Hindus, irrespective of caste. It also warned that any individual preventing Scheduled Castes from participating in the festival would face legal consequences.

Case Title: Venkatesan vs. The District Collector District Collectorate, Ariyalur and Ors

Judgment date: July 17, 2025

Bench: Justice N Anand Venkatesh