Madras High Court says

The Madras High Court observed that the country was practicing untouchable performance in a variety of ways, and he said that refusal to accept temple festival donations from all voluntary humans is also a form of untouchable.

Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy condemned the caste system and wrote: “In this country, the untouchable performance is practiced in various ways. Not accepting donations from persons considered inferior people is another form.” The judge took the disposal of a written petition filed by Ela Pandiyarajan of Ambedkar Makkal Neethi Iyakkam against the administration of Kamatchi Amman Udanurai Tirunageswarar Temple in Kunrathur, Chennai.

The petitioner complained that the temple government only allowed people belonging to the Senguntha Mudaliyar caste to become Ubayadarar (donors) of Brahmotsavam (annual festival) and did not accept donations from others. Although the temple is under control of Hindu religious and charitable donations: HR&CE departments, he questioned the etiquette behind this discrimination and argued that it violated basic equal rights.

After recording his submission, Justice Chakravati recalled one of his recent verdicts, where he observed that caste was a social evil and an unparalleled society, a goal envisioned by the constitutional makers. “In view of this, if people belonging to the pre-determined caste community are not allowed to become Ubayadarar in the temple, then this would also violate Article 17 (the non-reach of the constitution)” the judge pointed out.

He directed the Department of Human Resources to deal with the representation of the written petitioner who accepts contributions from all voluntary donors and said the Department’s decision will apply to all festivals in the future, not just this year’s festivals.