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The Madras High Court on Thursday, July 17, directed the Ariyalur district administration to ensure that all devotees, regardless of caste, are allowed to worship freely and participate in the ongoing Aadi Perukku festival, scheduled from July 16 to 31. The judge threatened legal action if the authorities defy the orders.
The court issued these orders while hearing the plea of a Dalit man, A Venkatesan, who alleged caste-based discrimination at the Ayyanar temple in Puthukudi village, Ariyalur. According to the petitioner, Dalit residents were prevented from entering the temple owing to their caste.
The court stated that no person can be denied entry into a temple based on caste, calling such actions an “affront to dignity.”
Justice N Anand Venkatesh directed the Ariyalur District Collector, the Superintendent of Police (SP), and the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) of Udayarpalayam to take immediate action to ensure that Scheduled Caste residents are allowed full access to the temple and can participate in all rituals and temple-related festivities.
“God is neutral. Caste and community are human creations. Preventing persons from offering prayers because they belong to Scheduled Caste communities is an affront to their dignity. This can never be permitted in a country governed by the rule of law,” the judge observed.
He reminded the authorities that under Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Temple Entry Authorization Act, 1947, every Hindu, irrespective of caste or sect, has the right to enter and worship in any Hindu temple. Any attempt to block a person from doing so amounts to an actionable wrong and can lead to legal consequences.
The judge also pointed out that this law was enacted after a long struggle by social reformers and leaders who fought to end caste-based discrimination in temple entry. He added that officials are duty-bound to implement it in both letter and spirit.
In his petition, Venkatesan alleged that until 2019, the Ayyanar temple in Puthukudi had been open to worshippers of all castes. However, a dominant caste group, identifying themselves as the ‘Ezhu Vaigaiyara’, allegedly attempted to take control of the temple by constructing a new structure. While the Dalit residents also contributed funds for the construction, they were later barred from entering the temple.
According to the petitioner, the dominant group even demolished the statues and structures built by Dalits, including a large Ayyanar statue bearing the name of a Dalit donor. The statue was allegedly dumped into the temple well.
To prevent the entry of Dalits, an iron gate was installed at the temple entrance. Dalits were allowed to view the deity only from outside. Despite several complaints being filed with the police and revenue officials, the petitioner said that no action was taken.