Madras High Court Directs State To Ensure Scheduled Caste Devotees Can Participate In Temple Chariot Festival, Orders Police Protection
The Madras High Court has directed authorities to ensure that members of the Scheduled Caste community in Salem's Deviyakurichi village are allowed to participate in the annual 'Ther' festival of the Arulmigu Ayyanar Temple with adequate police protection.For context, Ther Festival is a Hindu temple chariot festival where large, decorated wooden cars carrying deity idols are pulled...
The Madras High Court has directed authorities to ensure that members of the Scheduled Caste community in Salem's Deviyakurichi village are allowed to participate in the annual 'Ther' festival of the Arulmigu Ayyanar Temple with adequate police protection.
For context, Ther Festival is a Hindu temple chariot festival where large, decorated wooden cars carrying deity idols are pulled through streets by devotees.
Justice Krishnan Ramasamy directed:
"Such being the case, recording the aforesaid submission, this Court directs the respondents to ensure that the petitioner and other members of the Scheduled Caste community of Deviyakurichi Village, Salem District are allowed to participate in the “Ther” festival, which is scheduled to be held on 28.07.2026 and 29.07.2026, with adequate police protection. The respondents are further directed to ensure that the temple chariot passes through the streets, where the Scheduled Caste community resides, during the chariot procession to the possible extent, if the pathway accommodate the chariot procession".
The High Court was hearing the writ petition filed by Pamban, a resident of Deviyakurichi village belonging to the Scheduled Caste community.
The petitioner alleged that members of another community were preventing Scheduled Caste residents from participating in the Ther festival of Arulmigu Ayyanar temple and refusing to allow the temple chariot procession to pass through the streets where they reside. Aggrieved, he also submitted a representation to the authorities on July 11, 2026, but it has not been considered.
During the hearing, the State informed the Court that “arrangements have been made to ensure the temple chariot procession passes through the residential areas of the Scheduled Caste community, wherever feasible, subject to the availability of proper road facilities.”
The plea was disposed of.
Case: Pamban v The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments & others,
Case No: WP No. 28230 of 2026