P.Jayaraman v. The District Collector,

ORDER This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents 1 to 3, 5 & 6 to ensure that the petitioner and his family members are permitted to pay the customary temple contribution and participate in the annual temple festivals, worship and all religious activities of Arulmigu Kaliamman Temple, Mariamman Temple and Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Pudhu Kalarampatti Village, on par with other villagers, without any discrimination, obstruction or exclusion, and consequently restrain the private respondents and their men from enforcing any form of social boycott, excommunication or unlawful interference against the petitioner and his family.

¶2The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner and his family members are being prevented by respondents 7 to 11 from participating in the temple festivals of Arulmigu Kaliamman Temple, Mariamman Temple and Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple situated at Pudhu Kalarampatti Village, Vedasandur Taluk, Dindigul District. It was further submitted that the said respondents have also refused to receive the temple tax payable by the petitioner's family. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner submitted a representation to the official respondents seeking appropriate action. Since no action has been taken on the said representation, the present writ petition has been filed.

¶3The learned Government Advocates appearing for the respondents submitted that the official respondents would ensure that no individual is prevented from entering, participating in, or worshipping at the aforesaid temple and that adequate measures would be taken to maintain peace and public order.

¶4Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record. Since no adverse order is proposed to be passed against the private respondents, notice to them is dispensed with.

¶5Making it clear that no person can be excommunicated or prevented from entering a temple and worshipping the deity therein, it is directed that the private respondents shall not excommunicate the petitioner or any other person in the locality from participating in the festivals of the aforesaid temples. The petitioner shall also be permitted to pay the temple tax, and upon such payment, the same shall be received by the private respondents forthwith without any discrimination.

¶6Since the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the temple festival is ongoing today, the learned Government Advocate, Mr. D. Rajaboopathy, is directed to instruct the respondent police to ensure that the petitioner and his family members are permitted to participate in the aforesaid temple festival without any fear, obstruction or hindrance from any quarter. The respondent police shall also ensure that the temple tax tendered by the petitioner's family is received forthwith by the private respondents and that no discrimination is shown in this regard.

¶7With the above directions, this writ petition stands disposed of.

16.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 16.06.2026. TO:-

¶1The District Collector, Colletorate, Dindigul, Dindigul District-624 004.

¶2The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul -624 001.

¶3The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vedasandur Sub Division, Vedasandur, Dindigul District – 624 710.

¶4The Revenue Divisional Officer, Officer of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul Revenue Division, Dindigul District-624 001.

¶5The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Vedasandur Taluk, Dindigul District-624 710.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm

¶6The Inspector of Police, Vadamadurai Police Station, Vadamadurai, Dindigul District-624 802.

¶7The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. Dated

16.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 16.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI P.Jayaraman ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector, Colletorate, Dindigul, Dindigul District-624 004. 2. The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul -624 001. 3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vedasandur Sub Division, Vedasandur, Dindigul District – 624 710. 4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Officer of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul Revenue Division, Dindigul District-624 001. 5. The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Vedasandur Taluk, Dindigul District- 624 710. 6. The Inspector of Police, Vadamadurai Police Station, Vadamadurai, Dindigul District- 624 802. 7. Kaliappan 8. Maruthai 9. Krishanan 10. Kalidas 11. Kalidas ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3, 5 and 6 to ensure that the petitioner and his family members are permitted to pay the customary temple contribution and participate in the annual temple festivals, worship and all religious activities of Arulmigu Kaliamman Temple, Mariamman Temple and Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Pudhu Kalarampatti Village, on par with other villagers, without any discrimination, obstruction or exclusion, and consequently restrain private respondents and their men from enforcing any form of social boycott, excommunication or unlawful interference against the petitioner and his family. For Petitioner : Mr.W.Cleetus For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy (R2, R3 & R6) Government Advocate (Crl.) Ms.M.R.Priyanka Jothi (R1, R4 & R5) Government Advocate (Civil)