HC raps collector, police for inaction over caste discrimination in temple

Seeks report from authorities on steps taken to ensure entry of members of all communities

- JEGADEESWARI PANDIAN @ Madurai

SHOCKED that even after 75 years of Independence, people are still being denied entry into temples over their caste, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, while hearing two petitions related to such an incident at a Mariyamman temple in Chinna Dharapuram, Karur, directed the HR&CE department, Karur collector and SP to file separate reports on the current situation, reason for the temple's closure, and steps taken to ensure joint worship.

Justice B Pugalendhi criticised authorities for keeping the temple closed since 2018 due to communal tension. "The closure of a public temple, not for days or weeks but for years, under the guise of law and order, is a dereliction of constitutional duty," he said. "Stopping everyone from entering is not the way to maintain peace. The law cannot treat the oppressor and the oppressed as equals. The government must remember that peace built by denying rights is not real peace, it is surrender," he added, slamming the collector and police for inaction.