Madras HC Allows Temple Car To Pass Through Dalit Colony, Says Faith Can’t Be Restricted By Caste

Last Updated:November 10, 2025, 15:41 IST

Rejecting the contention that allowing the chariot into the colony would set a precedent for similar demands, the court said social progress can't be resisted in the name of custom

Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has directed authorities in Kancheepuram district to allow the temple car of Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple at Puthagaram village to pass through a Dalit colony during its annual festival, holding that no custom or practice can justify exclusion in matters of faith.

Justice PB Balaji, passing orders on a writ petition filed by Selvaraj, a resident of the village and member of the Scheduled Caste community, said “faith cannot be fenced by caste or creed" and that “divinity cannot be confined by human prejudice". The court emphasised that “God does not reside in certain streets alone", and observed that discrimination cannot be continued in the name of preserving tradition.

The petitioner had approached the court seeking directions to the district administration, the police, and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to permit Dalit residents to worship at the temple and participate fully in its annual car festival. He alleged that despite repeated representations, the temple car was never allowed to pass through the Dalit colony, and members of the community were prevented from participating in religious events.

Responding to the petition, the government officials stated that there was no restriction on Dalits entering the temple or taking part in the festival. However, members of the upper-caste community who were added as private respondents opposed any alteration to the existing route of the temple chariot, arguing that the traditional path had been followed for decades and that extending it would create future disputes.

During the hearing, the court had directed the Kancheepuram District Collector to conduct a field inspection and examine the feasibility of including the Dalit colony in the chariot route. The Collector, after a joint inspection with officials from the HR&CE Department, the police, and the local administration, submitted a report stating that the proposed extension was technically and operationally feasible. The report also suggested an integrated route plan, requiring only minor repairs along certain stretches.

Taking note of the Collector’s findings, the court approved the proposed integrated route and directed that the temple car must take this extended path both during the trial run and the main festival. The court recorded the government’s assurance that there was no prohibition on entry to the temple and instructed the officials to ensure that no form of discrimination is practiced. It also ordered the police to provide adequate protection and maintain peace during the event.

Rejecting the contention that allowing the chariot into the Dalit colony would set a precedent for similar demands, the court said that social progress cannot be resisted in the name of custom. “We as a society have evolved over time and have adapted to several changes," Justice Balaji said, adding that invoking tradition cannot be used as a valid defence against equality.

The court made the route map submitted by the District Collector a part of the judgment and closed the connected miscellaneous petitions.

Salil Tiwari

Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr...Read More

Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr...

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