Madras High CourtWP Crl.(MD)/3582/2026disposed of

Mariappan v. The District Collector, Dindigul District

2026-06-30Honourable Mrs Justice L.Victoria Gowri8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 30/06/2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI Mariappan ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul District.

2. The Superintendent of Police, - Dindigul, Dindugul District.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Palani, Dindugul District.

4. The Tashsildar, Gujiliyamparai Taluk, Gujiliyamparai, Dindugul District.

5. The Inspector of Police, Guziliamparai, Police Station, Dindugul District.

6. Thangaraj

7. Thiruvengadam

8. Thambithurai

9. Mariappan 1/8

10. Sri Rengan ... Respondents PRAYER :- To issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 5 to allow the petitioner's community people to participate the peace committee meeting conducted by the 4 th respondent for the festival of Sri Mariamman and Sri Baghavathiamman temple, situated at Servaikaranpatti, Kottanatham Village, Gujiliyamparai Taluk, Dindigul District, for the purpose of protecting the petitioner's right to participate the customary rituals (Kappu Kattuthal) on the basis of the petitioner's representation 27.06.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Rajaraman, Advocate.

For Respondents : Mr.M.R.Priyanka Jothi - for R1, R3 and R4 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.C.Susikumar - for R2 and R5 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.S.Gokulraj for R6 to R10

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed seeking to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 5 to allow the petitioner's community 2/8

people to participate in the peace committee meeting conducted by the 4th respondent for the festival of Sri Mariamman and Sri Baghavathiamman temple, situated at Servaikaranpatti, Kottanatham Village, Gujiliyamparai Taluk, Dindigul District, for the purpose of protecting the petitioner's right to participate in the customary rituals (Kappu Kattuthal) on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 27.06.2026.

2. When the matter came up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate Mrs. M R Priyanka Jothi promptly placed before me the entire details of the peace committee meeting, which was earlier conducted on 25-6-2026 by the 4th respondent, on the basis of the order passed by this Court in WP.Crl.(MD)No.3207 of 2026, dated 17.06.2026. A careful perusal of the records placed before me, would reveal that the petitioner, Thiru.Mariappan, son of Mariappan from Servaikaranpatti post, had been accommodated in the said peace committee meeting. Even thereafter, the petitioner had come before this Court, anticipating that his community may be excluded from participating in the customary ritual of Kappu kattuthal during the temple festival.

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3. The learned counsel for the respondents 6 to 10 submitted that earlier on 19-6-2026, a proper peace committee meeting was convened by the representatives of all the communities of Sri Mariamman and Sri Baghavathiamman temple, Servaikaranpatti Village, for the conduct of temple festival, on which date the customary ritual was initiated by tying Kappu to the deity and it was also resolved unanimously by the villagers that no first honour would be given to any persons /devotees.

4. He further submitted that another writ petition was filed by one Thiru.Thangarasu in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3546 of 2026 claiming permission to conduct a temple festival and to stop the temple festival being organised by Thiru.Thiruvengatam. The said Thiru.Thiruvengatam also filed another writ petition in WP.Crl.(MD)No.3527 of 2026. Both petitions were taken up together for hearing and this Court by order dated 25.06.2026 directed the revenue authorities to conduct a peace committee meeting, by affording opportunity to the representatives of all the community members to participate in the said peace committee meeting. The petitioner, having participated in the said peace committee meeting, 4/8

who sought further time before the revenue authorities, has come before this Court by means of this writ petition.

5. The Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that his community people alone were denied permission to participate in the peace committee meeting, thereby preventing the petitioner's community from participating in the customary rituals during the temple festival.

6. Heard either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record.

7. This Court places appreciation for the 4th respondents for having conducted a peace committee meeting by giving opportunity of hearing to the representatives of all the community people pursuant to the order passed by this Court in WP.Crl.(MD)No. 3527 and 3546 of 2026 dated 25.06.2026. The records produced by the 4th respondent before me would throw light on the fact that a proper peace committee meeting was conducted in a fair manner and all the members of all the communities were given a fair opportunity of hearing.

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8. However, another peace committee meeting is scheduled to be held on 11.07.2026. The anticipation of the petitioner is that the petitioner, as well as the people from the petitioner's community who belongs to the Schedule Caste Parayar Community, may be excluded from the ceremonial practise of Kappu Kattuthal during the temple festival in Sri Mariamman and Sri Baghavathiamman temple, situated at Servaikaranpatti, Kottanatham Village, Gujiliyamparai Taluk, Dindigul District. This Court makes it clear that the 4th respondent should ensure that the ceremony should be made universal for the members of all the community people.

9. It is made clear that the devotees from every community shall be permitted to participate in the Kappu Kattuthal ceremony by permitting them to undergo the ceremony of Kapu Katudal by tying an yellow holy thread. It is made clear that no particular colour representing any community should be used for the purpose of Kappu Kattuthal. The Kappu Kattuthal should be done only with yellow thread. Since the date of the temple festival will be decided tomorrow, it is also made clear that the revenue authorities should ensure the peaceful conduct of the temple 6/8

festival for two more days.

10. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. 30.06.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Note : Issue order copy on 30.06.2026 pnn To

1. The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul District.

2. The Superintendent of Police, - Dindigul, Dindugul District.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Palani, Dindugul District.

4. The Tashsildar, Gujiliyamparai Taluk, Gujiliyamparai, Dindugul District.

5. The Inspector of Police, Guziliamparai, Police Station, Dindugul District.

6.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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L. VICTORIA GOWRI,J pnn

ORDER

IN WP CRL.(MD) No.3582 of 2026 Date : 30/06/2026 8/8