21-05-2025
Take action against officials for preventing SC people from performing rituals at temple, says forum
Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front representing the Scheduled Caste people of Uthapuram submitted a petition with the Madurai district administration recently, seeking equal rights for performing rituals at the Muthalamman Temple in the village.
S. Sankaralingam, a villager and one of the petitioners, said that despite the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court's order directing the district administration to ensure that the SC people received equal rights at the temple, the Divisional Revenue Officer, who chaired a meeting between people of the two community ahead of the temple festival, had instructed the SC people to not broach the topic of performing 'Arasamaram' and other rituals.
Following the court order dated April 21, 2025, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court said that the SC people could offer prayers at both Muthalamman temple and also at Mariamman Temple. 'Besides, the court also directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department officials in Dindigul to convene a committee to arrive at a solution to the 'group worship' ('koottu vazhipadu') within one year. Also, it must be ensured that the 'Arasamaram' is not damaged while performing the ritual by any group, Mr. Sankaralingam said.
Based on the court order, on April 22, more than 500 SC people went to the temple and offered prayers by adhering to the court's order. However, the following morning, when the SC people went to the temple to perform rituals such as making Pongal and sacrificing goat, the police and revenue officials denied them permission stating that the court's order did not specify about granting permission for such rituals, he added.
'While the caste Hindus were allowed to perform similar rituals even early in the morning, the officials discriminated the SC people alone by stopping them from performing the rituals,' said T. Chellakannu, State president, Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front.
Despite pointing out the court order which stated that equal rights can be enjoyed by all during worship, the officials refused to give a suitable reply and prevented only the SC people from performing the rituals, he alleged.
'The police informed that they had locked the temple at about 3 in the morning itself. But, later in the evening, the locks of the police and revenue officials were found open,' he said.
As the police did not follow the court's diktats, the Collector should initiate stern action against the revenue and police officials who acted in a biased manner, Mr. Chellakannu said.
