Latest news with #Kandadevi
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madurai Bench of Madras HC raps collector, police for inaction over caste discrimination in temple
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. The judge stressed that it is the duty of the HR&CE department and the state to ensure that no caste-based exclusion takes place in any temple. Citing the Kandadevi temple festival in Sivaganga, successfully conducted last year after a 17-year halt due to communal tension, he said it was possible only because the government took proactive steps, deployed adequate police force, engaged with communities, and ensured the participation of Scheduled Caste devotees.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Protests cannot be held to the whims and fancies of political parties, says HC
Holding protests is not meant for fun and they cannot be held to the whims and fancies of political parties, observed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday while disposing of a petition filed by a Naam Tamilar Katchi functionary, seeking permission to conduct a protest in Tirupuvanam, condemning the custodial death incident. The court was hearing the petition filed by J. Eswaran, NTK's State coordinator, who had sought permission to conduct the protest on July 8. It was rejected by police on the grounds that police force would be deployed for the Kandadevi temple car festival and a weekly market would be held at the protest venue. The NTK had already staged a protest in Tirupuvanam on July 3. Justice B. Pugalendhi said the right to freedom of speech and expression and protest was guaranteed under the Constitution. However, it was subject to reasonable restrictions. When the petitioner political party had the right to conduct a protest, the right of a noise-free environment, right not to be disturbed, right to live in peace and right to move freely were also guaranteed under the Constitution to the public. Taking into account that the NTK intended to conduct the protest on the same cause of action, and at the same place, that too within five days, the court observed that political parties had certain responsibilities towards the public. If protests were conducted they would certainly affect the right of free public movement and disturb the people in the area, the court observed. The right of protest should not infringe on the right of those who were not associated with the protest. The right to protest did not include the right to cause inconvenience to the public, the court observed. Public places were meant for the use of the public. While holding protesting in such places was a valuable democratic tool, the purpose for which such places existed should not be forgotten. No person could claim that he/she should be allowed to protest repeatedly at the same place without restrictions, the observed. It said it did not find fault with the reasons given by the police for rejecting the party's request. The court took into account that during the protest held on July 3 some speakers had used filthy language, mentioned communal names and tried to provoke a particular community. One of the speakers had referred to the complainant (Nikitha) in such terms that demeaned women in general. It appeared that the police had not taken action against those who had violated law. The law-enforcing authority should implement law in its true spirit, the court said, adding that it was open to the petitioner to submit a fresh application to the police and on receipt of the application, the police should take a decision.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Nattars slam book on Kandadevi car festival; calls it factually wrong
SIVAGANGA: A section of people from the Nattar community has opposed the English translation of a book on the Kandadevi car festival authored by Siva Kalaimani, scheduled to be released by Governor RN Ravi on Thursday. On Wednesday, a group of people from the caste Hindu community submitted a petition to the district administration seeking steps to stop the event, saying the book contains factually incorrect information and would create division among communities. The book — 'Harmony Through Spiritually' — would be released by the governor in Devakottai on Thursday. The original Tamil version of the book was released in 2024. Former president of Kandadevi panchayat Murugan said the contents of the book may create differences between the four Nattars (who play a role in the festival). 'The author's statement that the latest temple car was made using donation made by an individual is wrong. The car was made using HR and CE department funds.' Author Siva Kalaimani refuted the charge, saying all the issues he has dealt with in the book have been verified. 'The current opposition may be due to political reasons,' he said.
