Latha v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 11.08.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI Latha ... Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Madhagupatti Police Station, Sivagangai District.

5. Jeganathan

6. Deivendiran

7. Mayilvaganan

...Respondents

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PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to take necessary steps to include the petitioner in the list of members for contributing the fund for the celebration of Mandhai Amman Temple Pongal Festival last Tuesday of Aadi scheduled to be held on 15.08.2023 at Pongundupatti, Kattanipatti Post, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District by considering the petitioners representation dated 02.08.2023 For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murugan For R1 to R3 : Mrs.D.Farjana Ghoushia, Special Government Pleader For R4 : Mr.P.Kottaichamy Government Advocate

O R D E R

The petitioner with a grievance that the respondents 5 to 7 have discriminated the petitioner on the basis of gender and have not collected fund from the petitioner for the celebration of Mandhai Amman Temple Pongal Festival, Pongundupatti, Sivagangai District, which is scheduled to be held on 15.08.2023 has filed this writ petition.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner 2/5

submits that the petitioner is a lineal descendent of Olukkaraiyan Kootam and there is no male member in her family. The petitioner's mother was permitted to contribute for the celebration of the temple festival and due to old age, she was not in a position to perform her activities in the celebration. Hence, this petitioner was paying the contribution for the celebration of Mandhai Amman Temple Adi festival for the past 23 years. Now, the respondents 5 to 7 have refused to collect the amount from the petitioner for this year. Therefore, the petitioner has submitted a representation to the respondents on 02.08.2023 and has filed this writ petition for a Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to take necessary action by considering her representation.

3.The petitioner has submitted her representation on 02.08.2023 and has immediately filed this writ petition on 07.08.2023. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to entertain this writ petition. However, considering that the temple festival is scheduled to be held on 15.08.2023 and considering the grievance of 3/5

the petitioner that she has been discriminated on gender wise, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the third respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner and take necessary action on or before 14.08.2023. No costs.

11.08.2023 NCC :Yes/No Index :Yes/No Internet:Yes vrn Note: Issue order copy today (11.08.2023) To 1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Madhagupatti Police Station, Sivagangai District.

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B.PUGALENDHI, J.

vrn Order made in 11.08.2023 5/5