V.Revathi And Others vs District Collector And Others

K.K. Ramakrishnan, J

The writ petition has been filed by the petitioners to direct the respondents 1 to 7 to take immediate and effective action on the petitioners' representation/complaint dated 10.05.2026 and consequently ensure that the petitioners, their family members and all similarly placed villagers are allowed to worship and participate equally in the Sri Mariamman Temple festival at Rajagopalapuram, Achcham Davittan / Nachchiyarkovil Village, Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar Distrcit, scheduled on 19.05.2026 and further forbear respondents 8 and 9 and their men from excommunicating, socially boycotting, obstructing, threatening, humiliating, segregating or discriminating against the petitioners and similarly placed villagers in the matter of temple entry, pooja, procession, offerings, prasadam and festival participation.

It is specifically averred in paragraph Nos.6 & 7 of the petition as follows:-

"6.There are also civil proceedings and connected papers relating to the temple administration/festival dispute, including O.S.No.91 of 2025 before the competent Civil Court at Srivilliputhur. The petitioners state that even if there are disputes between certain persons regarding adminsitration, nattamai rights, poojari rights, collection of contribution or management of festival expenses, such disputes cannot be used as a weapon to deny temple entry and equal worship to the petitioners and similarly placed villagers.

7.The petitioners submit that the upcoming Sri Mariamman Temple festival is scheduled to be held on 19.05.2026. In the first week of May 2026, the petitioners came to know that the Nattamai and the present Poojari, who are arrayed as private respondents, have decided to excommunicate the Petitioners and many other villagers from participating in the said festival. They have orally conveyed and caused to be conveyed that the petitioners and their family members will not be permitted to take part in the festival, poojas, procession, offerings, prasadam distribution and connected religious activites."

The learned counsel appearing for the private respondents 8 and instructions, would submit that they are not preventing the petitioners from entering into the temple and worshipping the deity.

The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents 1, 2, 3 & 7 has affirmed the above said submission made by the learned counsel for the private respondents 8 & 9 and also produced a photograph of the previous year, where the petitioners participated in the temple festival.

Without going into any of the issues, this Court directs the respondents concerned to permit the petitioners to take part in the festivals, poojas, procession, offerings, prasadam distribution in connection with religious activities. It is made clear that the abovesaid direction is issued only by considering the dispute pending before this Court relating to the right of worship in the temple alone and it will not bind any other proceedings pending between the parties.

Post the main petition on 11.06.2026 for filing counter by the second respondent herein.