HC says equality in worship non-negotiable, condemns Karur collector, SP

OBSERVING that equality in worship is nonnegotiable and the law must be firm enough that no person or group ever dares to deny temple entry on grounds of caste, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court strongly condemned Karur collector and superintendent of police for failing to take suo motu action against denial of entry of people from Scheduled Caste into the Mariamman temple in Chinna Dharapuram in the district, which led to closure of the temple for seven years.

- JEGADEESWARI PANDIAN

Though the temple was reopened recently and people from SC community were allowed entry following the high court's direction, Justice B Pugalendhi observed the fact that a court order was required for it was shameful. Recalling the historic Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple entry movement organised in 1939, the judge said, "What was achieved in 1939 at Madurai through the moral conviction of reformers and the courage of leaders is, in 2025, possible only through a judicial mandate."