In a writ petition filed before the Madras High Court seeking directions for respondents to prohibit the usage of caste names in the invitations for the Masi Bramochavam 2026 of Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil, Thiruporur (Temple), and grant of permission only to persons authorised to participate as Sri Padhamthangis to carry the idol during the procession, a Single Judge Bench of Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarty disposed of the petition with a direction to refrain from mentioning the caste on temple invitations in the future.
The Court noted that a Division Bench had already passed an order to avoid the usage of caste names in temple invitations in a previous writ petition.
The Court stated that caste exists only in the minds of people and that the very purpose of India becoming a republic is to treat everyone equally, which is why all authorities of the country must endeavour to annihilate caste. It was said that permission could not be granted for a festival involving government departments to propagate caste or to advertise one’s caste.
The Court directed the temple concerned that, starting from the next festival, whenever any pamphlet is printed, the name of the Ubayadharar alone must be printed without mentioning the caste. Regarding the issue of Sri Padhamthangis, the Court stated that framing rules or micromanaging the carrying of the idols would only open a Pandora’s box, and that this must be left to the Executive Officers and Trustees of the temple, in the best interests of the devotees and rituals. Thus, the petition was disposed of.
Appearances:
For Petitioner – Mr. S. Abhijeet Krishna
For Respondents – Mr. J. Ravindran (AAG), Mr. K. Karthikeyan (GA, Hr & CE), Mr. A.M. Ayyadurai (GA), Mr. J. Subbiah (GA, Crl. Side)
