‘God Belongs to No Caste’: Madras High Court Slams Karur Officials for Closing Temple to Avoid Tension
The Madras High Court recently came down heavily on Karur District authorities for allowing the Arulmighu Mariamman Temple in Chinna Dharapuram to remain closed to the public for over six years, under the pretext of potential caste-related tensions. "The closure of a public temple, not for days or weeks but for years under the guise of a law and order concern, is a dereliction of constitutional duty," court said.
Two rival petitions were filed before the court. While the Vanniyakulachathiriyar Nala Arakattalai Trust claimed hereditary management and denied any caste-based exclusion, a Scheduled Caste petitioner, Marimuthu, alleged that Dalit devotees were being denied temple entry altogether.
During the hearing, Justice B. Pugalendhi found that the temple has been off-limits to public worship since 2018. “Stopping everyone from entering is not the way to maintain peace,” the judge observed, stating that the state cannot evade responsibility by citing law and order risks. "It is the job of the police to make sure that rights are protected, and that anyone who breaks the law is dealt with properly. The law cannot treat the oppressor and the oppressed as equals", the court said.
Court further noted that daily worship had continued within the temple, but community access and festivals were suspended, a move the court equated with administrative surrender. "The District Collector, as the top officer of the District, cannot escape his duty by simply saying there may be trouble. If there is any real threat, it is his responsibility to handle it using the State machinery," court said.
“God does not belong to any one caste. He does not discriminate. Only human beings do,” Justice Pugalendhi emphasised.
The Trust’s claim of managing the temple for generations was dismissed as irrelevant, with the court holding that, under the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Act, only the designated department could determine who may manage a public temple, and that too through formal procedures. An RTI response and a draft scheme submitted to the court showed that the temple was under the control of a Fit Person appointed by the HR & CE Department.
Court highlighted a successful example from the Kandadevi Temple festival in Sivagangai, where caste tensions were overcome through active government facilitation, inclusive dialogue, and police presence.
Court, therefore, directed the HR & CE Department to file a report on the temple's current management and access status within two weeks.
The District Collector and Superintendent of Police must also submit an affidavit and a report, respectively, explaining their inaction and outlining concrete steps to ensure caste-neutral worship going forward, court ordered.
“Peace built by denying rights is not real peace, it is surrender,” the court warned, making it clear that caste-based exclusion at public religious spaces would not be tolerated.
The case will be heard again after three weeks.
Case Title: Vanniyakulachathiriyar Nala Arakattalai vs. The District Collector, Karur and Others
Order Date: July 15, 2025
Bench: Justice B. Pugalendhi