Temple order THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Writ Petition No.6606 of 2026 N.Samaran,

by Sekar Reporter · February 19, 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 17-02-2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY
Writ Petition No.6606 of 2026
N.Samaran,
S/o Nagan,
No.1, Padavattamman Kovil Street,
Thiruporur 603 110, Chengalpattu District. .. Petitioner
/versus/
1.The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.
2.The Joint Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Kanchipuram District.
3.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil, Thiruporur.
4.The District Collector, Chengalpattu District.
5.The Superintendent of Police, Chengalpattu District.
6.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,
Mamallapuram Range,
Chengalpattu District. .. Respondents
Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 3 to prohibit usage of caste names in the invitations of the ensuing Masi Bramochavam 2026 of the 3rd respondent Temple/Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil, Thiruporur and to permit only the persons duly authorized by the 3rd respondent/Executive Officer to participate as “Sri Padhamthangis” to carry the idol during procession and pass suitable orders.
For Petitioner :Mr. S.Abhijeet Krishna
For Respondents :Mr.J.Ravindran, AAG Asst.by
Mr.K.Karthikeyan, GA (Hr & CE) for R1 to R3
Mr.A.M.Ayyadurai, GA for R4
Mr.J.Subbiah, GA (Crl.Side) for R5 and R6 ———–
ORDER
The writ petition is filed for a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 to 3 to prohibit the use of caste names in the invitations for the ensuing Masi Brahmochavam, 2026 of the 3rd respondent temple, namely Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil, Thiruporur; to permit only duly authorised persons to participate as “Sri Padhamthangis” to carry the idol during the procession; and to pass suitable orders, thereby rendering justice.
2. As far as the invitation is concerned, it is true that some of the
Ubayatharar names also carry their caste names. In this regard, already the Division Bench has passed an order in W.P.(MD)No.1697 of 2025 to avoid the use of the caste names in the temple invitations.
3.The learned Additional Advocate General brought to the notice of this Court an order of the Honourable Supreme Court of India, wherein it was directed that, on a particular occasion, the name was ordered to be printed as “Adi Dravidar” instead of “Oorar”. On a reading of both the orders, it can be seen that the purport is to avoid caste discrimination.
4. The learned Additional Advocate General submitted that the temple, as such, is not using any caste name. However, it can be seen that when Ubayatharars give their names along with caste names, as per the import contained in the judgment of the Division Bench, the caste name should be avoided. Since the invitation for this year has already been printed and circulated and the festival commences on 20.02.2026, no further directions can be issued for the present year.
5. However, from the ensuing festival onwards,whenever any
Ubayadharar gives his name with the suffix indicating his caste, the suffix alone should be dropped and only the name shall be printed. The learned Additional Advocate General also submitted that in order to implement the same in the next festival he has to get instructions.
6/ gpwg;bghf;Fk; vy;yh caph;f;Fk; “ ” is the law. Caste is a thing, that exists only in the minds of the people. Article 14 of the Constitution of India, enshrines the principle of equality. The very purpose of India becoming a Republic is to treat everyone equally and the concept of caste is based only on birth and birth alone divides people. The endeavour of every authority in the country, should only be to annihilate caste and not to perpetuate the same. If the festival in which the Government Department namely, the HR and CE Department, is also involved, is conducted in a manner so as to propagate caste and prominently to advertise or take pride in one’s caste, the same cannot be permitted. Therefore, the prayer made by the learned Additional Advocate General that it should be left to open to the Ubhayatharar or to the temple, cannot be considered. From the next festival onwards, whenever any pamphlet is printed, the temple concerned is directed to print the name of the Ubayadharar alone without mentioning the caste name.
7. As far as the issue of Sri Padhamthangis are concerned, whenever there is an Utchavar purapadu in any temple, volunteers will be there normally to act as Padhamthangis to carry the idols and the same is managed on the spot by able- bodied devotees. To frame Rules or to micromanage the same through Courts would only open in a Pandora’s box and it should be best left to the persons who are managing the festival on the ground. Therefore, in that regard I am not able to accept the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that a Standard Operating Procedure should be framed. Leaving open the said issue to be managed by the Executive Officers and the Trustees of the temple in the best interests of the devotees and the rituals of the temple, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
17-02-2026
Neutral Citation:No
ari
To
1.The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.
2.The Joint Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Kanchipuram District.
3.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil, Thiruporur.
4.The District Collector, Chengalpattu District.
5.The Superintendent of Police, Chengalpattu District.
6.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,
Mamallapuram Range, Chengalpattu District.
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
ari
W.P.No.6606 of 2026