Caste Has No Place Before God: Madras HC Slams Denial of Temple Donations Based on Caste

The Madras High Court recently observed that denying individuals from Scheduled Castes the right to make religious donations in temples amounts to untouchability and is a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution. "Already, this court has held that caste cannot be a criteria in front of God," court said.

Court was hearing a petition filed by one Ela Pandiyarajan, who approached the court alleging that people from Scheduled Caste communities were being denied the opportunity to serve as Ubayadharar—a donor or sponsor of temple rituals—at the Arulmigu Kamatchi Amman Udanurai Thirunageswarar Temple in Kundrathur.

The bench of Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy, tabling the judgment on April 29, 2025, observed that such exclusion based on caste was nothing short of a modern-day manifestation of untouchability. “In this country, untouchability is a practice in various ways. Not accepting the donation of a person perceived to be an inferior human being, is another form,” the court said.

The judge referred to his earlier decision in W.P. No. 3838 of 2025, where he had ruled that caste cannot be used as a basis for claiming exclusive rights over temple administration or participation. Reiterating that the soul has no caste, sex, or imperfection, the judge quoted both Swami Vivekananda and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to emphasize the urgent need to eliminate caste-based discrimination from religious life.

“Caste is a social evil. A casteless society is our constitutional goal,” Justice Chakravarthy reiterated, stressing that any act or policy that perpetuates caste is not only unconstitutional but also opposed to public policy.

Taking note of the petitioner’s representation dated April 22, 2025, the court directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to consider it and pass appropriate orders within three weeks. The orders, court clarified, in general can be passed with reference to the particular temple without particular reference to the ensuing festival alone.

Case Title: Ela.Pandiyarajan vs The Commissioner, HRCE Department and Others

Download judgment here