P.Soundarrajan v. The Commissioner,

ORDER The petitioners have approached this Court at the eleventh hour, just before the Temple festival, namely, the first-year Thiruvizhakku Poojai at Arulmigu Periya Nayagi Amman Thirukovil, Kalaiyarkovil Taluk, Sivagangai District.

¶2It appears that the petitioners have been complaining against the Hereditary Trustees of the said Temple, alleging that they have been practising discrimination by excluding the members of the petitioners' community. It is further stated that a meeting was held in the presence of the sixth respondent/Tahsildar, Devakottai, on 11.08.2026 in connection with the Temple festival, which is scheduled to commence at 05.00 p.m. today. Page5 of 9

¶3It is the complaint of the petitioners that several cultural events are conducted in connection with the Temple festivals during the month of Panguni and that the members of the petitioners' community are being excluded from such events. It is further alleged that donations are not being collected from the members of the petitioners' community and that, thereby, discrimination is being practised against them.

¶4The learned counsel for the respondents 8 and 9 submits that the event that is to take place today, namely, the first-year Thiruvizhakku Poojai at Arulmigu Periya Nayagi Amman Thirukovil, Kalaiyarkovil Taluk, Sivagangai District, is being conducted for the first time and that the entire expenses are being borne by the eighth respondent/Devasthanam. It is further submitted that there will be no discrimination among the members of different communities. Therefore, it is submitted that the prayer of the petitioners does not warrant any interference by this Court at this eleventh hour.

¶5The statement of the learned counsel for the respondents 8 and 9 that, in connection with the first-year Thiruvizhakku Poojai being held today at 05.00 p.m., there will be no discrimination and that members of all communities will be permitted to participate without any discrimination is recorded. Page6 of 9

¶6The respondents 10 to 12 are directed to ensure that the Temple festival is conducted in an orderly manner and that there is no untoward incident during the festival/event. To that effect, they may provide adequate police protection.

¶7At this stage, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondents 10 to 12 submits that the entire festival is being monitored by the respondents 10 and 11 and that about 100 police personnel have been deployed to ensure that there is no untoward incident.

¶8The said submission of the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondents 10 to 12 is recorded.

¶9As far as the constitution of the Temple Committee for the future is concerned, the same can be the subject matter of the O.A. pending on the file of the Joint Commissioner, Sivagangai in O.A. No.66 of 2024, filed under Section 63(e) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, at the instance of the petitioners and the members of the petitioners' family.

¶10Therefore, this writ petition is disposed of with a further direction to the second respondent to dispose of O.A.No.66 of 2024 as expeditiously as possible, preferably before the next Panguni festival, after hearing all the Page7 of 9 persons who are likely to be affected by the decision to be taken therein. There shall be no order as to costs. 14-08-2026 Index: Yes/No (2/2) Speaking/Non-speaking order smn2 To

¶1The Commissioner, O/o. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai

¶2The Joint Commissioner, O/o. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department,

¶3The District Collector, The Collectorate Building,

¶4The Sub Collector, O/o. The Sub Collector,

¶5The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o. The Revenue Divisional Officer,

¶6The Tahsildar, O/o. The Tahsildar, Page8 of 9

¶7The Tahsildar, O/o. The Tahsildar, Kaalaiyarkovil Taluk,

¶8The Manager, Sivagangai Devasthaanam, Sivagangai District

¶9The Devasthanam Superintendent, Kaleeswarar Temple Campus, Sivagangai Devasthaanam, Kaalaiyarkovil Circle,

10.The Superintendent of Police, O/o. The Superintendent of Police,

11.The Inspector of Police, O/o. The Inspector of Police,

12.The Inspector of Police, O/o. The Inspector of Police, Kaalaiyarkovil Taluk, WP(MD)oNo.o23453oofo2026 C.SARAVANAN,oJ. smn2 WP(MD)oNo.o23453oofo2026 14-08-2026 (2/2) Page9oofo9

Page1 of 9 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 14-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN 1. P.Soundarrajan S/o. Periyam Pillai, 4/24, Mavalikkottai, Uruvatti Post, 2. M.Ranjithakumar, S/o. Muniandi, 464, Thelliyanvayal, Uruvatti Post, ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Commissioner, O/o. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai 2. The Joint Commissioner, O/o. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 3. The District Collector, The Collectorate Building, 4. The Sub Collector, O/o. The Sub Collector, Page2 of 9 5. The Revenue Divisional Officer, O/o. The Revenue Divisional Officer, 6. The Tahsildar, O/o. The Tahsildar, 7. The Tahsildar, O/o. The Tahsildar, Kaalaiyarkovil Taluk, 8. The Manager, Sivagangai Devasthaanam, Sivagangai District 9. The Devasthanam Superintendent, Kaleeswarar Temple Campus, Sivagangai Devasthaanam, Kaalaiyarkovil Circle, 10.The Superintendent of Police, O/o. The Superintendent of Police, 11.The Inspector of Police, O/o. The Inspector of Police, 12.The Inspector of Police, O/o. The Inspector of Police, Kaalaiyarkovil Taluk, 13.K.Sethu, S/o. Kulanthaiswamy, Pudhukudiyuruppu, Page3 of 9 Uruvatti Post, Devakottai Taluk, 14.M.Mappillaisamy, S/o. Malairaja, Pudhukudiyuruppu, Uruvatti Post, Devakottai Taluk, 15.M.Mani, S/o. Muthu, Alagappa Nagar, Kumaravel Post, 16.V.Thamilarasan, S/o. Veerapandi, Pudhukudiyuruppu, Uruvatti Post, 17.P.Ramu, S/o. Pandi, Kongathidal, Uruvatti Post, ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondent Nos.1 and 2 to constitute a temple festival committee inclusive of the representatives of the Petitioners community members for the Arulmigu Periya Nayagi Amman Thirukovil's First Year Thiruvizhakku Poojai Festival on 14.08.2026 within the time framed fixed by this Hon'ble Court and pass such further or other orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice. Page4 of 9 For Petitioner(s): Mr.K.Surya for M/S.Roy Roy Associates For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Venkatesh Additional Government Pleader for R1 to R7 Mr.S.Madhavan for R8 and R9 Mr.P.Vetrivel Government Advocate (Criminal side) for R10 to R12