Chennai, Nov 8:
In a significant ruling promoting social equality and religious inclusivity, the Madras High Court has permitted the Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple car to pass through a Dalit colony in Kancheepuram district.
While hearing a petition filed by Selvaraj, a member of the Scheduled Caste community, Justice P.B. Balaji observed that faith cannot be fenced by caste or creed and divinity cannot be confined by human prejudice. He said, “God does not reside in certain streets alone. No street is unworthy of the chariot or the god it carries. God never discriminates. So discrimination cannot be wrapped in the sanctity of tradition.”
The court emphasized that Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes untouchability not just in form, but in spirit, and that no one can dictate who may stand before a deity and worship.
The petitioner had alleged that upper-caste members resisted participation by Scheduled Caste devotees and blocked the temple car from entering their colony. Despite the temple being under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, the petitioner claimed discrimination persisted.
Following a field inspection, the District Collector informed the court that there was no prohibition against Dalit devotees entering the temple or participating in the car festival, and that extending the chariot route through the Dalit colony was feasible.
Accepting this report, the court directed officials to ensure peaceful conduct of the temple procession, with adequate security during both the trial and main runs.
The case was titled Selvaraj v. The District Collector and Others.
Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. S. Kumaraswamy, Mr. D. Parventhan
Counsel for Respondents: Mr. M. Murali (Government Advocate), Mr. L. Baskaran (Government Advocate), Mr. N.R.R. Arun Natarajan (Special Government Pleader), Mr. G. Karthikeyan (Senior Counsel for Ms. A. Jagadeeswari), Mr. R. Thirumoorthi
