In a landmark ruling, the Madras High Court ordered the Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple car to pass through a Dalit colony, declaring that caste discrimination cannot be justified under the guise of tradition or religious sanctity.
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TAMIL NADU: In a landmark judgment promoting equality and social justice, the Madras High Court has directed that the temple car (ther) of the Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple in Kancheepuram district must pass through the Dalit colony during its annual festival. The ruling reinforces the constitutional right to worship without discrimination and challenges caste-based exclusion in temple traditions.
What the High Court Held
Delivering the order, Justice P.B. Balaji made a strong statement against caste-based barriers in religious practices, asserting that
“faith cannot be fenced by caste or creed and divinity cannot be confined by human prejudice.”
He emphasized that
“God does not reside in certain streets alone. No street is unworthy of the chariot or the god it carries. Discrimination cannot be wrapped in the sanctity of tradition.”
The judgment came in response to a petition filed by Selvaraj, a Scheduled Caste resident of Puthagaram village, who sought permission for Dalits to participate fully in temple rituals and requested that the temple chariot be allowed to pass through their locality during the annual festival.
Background
The petitioner alleged that for years, caste Hindus had resisted Dalit participation in the temple’s rituals and had prevented the temple car from entering their streets. Despite the temple being administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, discriminatory practices reportedly continued, prompting multiple representations to local authorities.
Government officials denied the existence of any prohibition, but private respondents from upper-caste communities opposed the change in route, arguing that the traditional chariot path had been followed for decades and that altering it could lead to similar demands from other communities.
Following the court’s direction in September, the Kancheepuram District Collector conducted a joint inspection with the Superintendent of Police, Sub-Collector, HR&CE officials, and other revenue authorities.
The Collector’s report confirmed that extending the chariot route to include the Dalit colony was technically feasible and would not alter the festival’s historic nature. The report also proposed minor repairs to make the route suitable for the temple car’s passage.
Accepting the Collector’s findings, the Madras High Court approved the integrated route and directed that the temple car must take the new path through the Dalit colony during both the trial run and the main festival procession.
The court also recorded assurances from officials that Dalits were not barred from entering the temple and instructed the administration to ensure that no discriminatory practices persist.
Additionally, the court ordered the police and district administration to provide adequate security to maintain peace and ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. The Collector’s integrated route map was made part of the official court order.
Justice Balaji, dismissing arguments about “longstanding customs,” observed that society must evolve beyond discriminatory practices.
“We as a society have evolved over time and have adapted to several changes. To resist change citing settled custom, tradition, and practice can never be a valid defence,”
the judge stated.
Case Title:
Selvaraj vs. The District Collector, Kancheepuram
W.P. No.33759 of 2025 and WMP. No.37883 & 37885 of 2025
READ ORDER
