Madras High Court affirms equality in worship. Temple car ordered to pass through Dalit colony, ending centuries of exclusion.
Justice P.B. Balaji of the Madras High Court ordered the Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple car in Kancheepuram district to pass through the Dalit colony during its annual festival, declaring that faith cannot be fenced by caste or creed. The November 7 ruling came after Selvaraj, a Scheduled Caste resident of Puthagaram village, petitioned against years of discrimination where upper caste Hindus prevented Dalits from temple worship and blocked the chariot from entering their streets despite the temple being under HR&CE Department control.
The court rejected arguments that altering the decades-old route would trigger similar demands, stating society evolves and resisting change, citing that tradition cannot be a valid defense. After the Kancheepuram District Collector conducted a joint inspection with police and revenue officials, authorities confirmed the route extension was technically feasible, requiring only minor repairs. The court approved the integrated route plan and directed authorities to ensure no discrimination prevents Dalit residents from worship or festival participation.
Justice Balaji declared that God does not reside in certain streets alone and no street is unworthy of the chariot or deity. The court invoked Article 17, abolishing untouchability not just physically but in spirit, ordering police to provide security, ensuring a peaceful procession. This landmark judgment reinforces constitutional equality over social hierarchy, marking a significant pushback against caste barriers justified as custom.
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