Solaikannan .M v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED:22.12.2021

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN and W.M.P(MD)No.19155 of 2021 M.Solaikannan :Petitioner .vs.

1.The District Collector, Collectorate, Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Commissioner, Madurai Corporation, Madurai.

3.The District Officer, Tourism and Tourism Development Department, No.1, West Veli Street, Madurai - 625 001.

4.The Joint Commissioner, Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Madurai.

: Respondent PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of directing the respondents to provide basic amenities such as toilets, drinking water facilities, women's bathrooms, women's dress changing rooms, mother feeding rooms who are visitng the Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple on the basis of the Petitioner's representation dated 30.11.2021.

For Petitioner :Mr.K.Neelamegam For Respondents :Mr.P.Thilakkumar 1 and 3 Govt.Pleader For Respondent-2 :Mr.Devasena For Respondent-4 :Mr.VR.Shanmuganathan 1/3

O R D E R

********* (Order of the Court was made by PUSHPA SATHYNARAYANA,J) The prayer in the Writ Petition is to direct the respondents to provide basic amenities such as toilets, drinking water facilities, women's bathrooms, women's dress changing rooms, mother feeding rooms who are visitng the Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple on the basis of the Petitioner's representation dated 30.11.2021. 2.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed before this Court. 3.The Petitioner is the District President of Hindu Makkal Katchi, Madurai District and claims to have involved in creating consumer and social awareness among the general public.The grievance of the Petitioner is that there is no toilet facilities in Meenakshi Sudareswarar Temple, Madurai and for providing such facilities, he can very well approach the local authorities,who are made as a party to the Writ Petition.

4.The general public visits the temple only for worship of the deity. No doubt, the city of Madurai is known for its temples and the general public visit these temples and from here, they go to various other places in and around Madurai namely, Rameshwaram, Thiruchendur and Palani etc. It is for the Tourism Department to maintain and to provide the facilities what the Petitioner is now seeking for in the present Writ Petition. In none of the temples, there can be toilet inside or outside the temple, as the said provision would take away the sanctity of the temples. Therefore, we do not think it fit to entertain this Writ Petition. 5.It is open to the Writ Petitioner to approach the appropriate local authorities for providing such facilities. If not, he himself can contribute to the society by providing the above said facilities, after obtaining permission from the appropriate authorities.

6.With these observations, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is dismissed.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CS-I) // True Copy // / /2022 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) vsn 2/3

Note :In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate / litigant concerned.

To 1.The District Collector, Collectorate, Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Commissioner, Madurai Corporation, Madurai.

3.The District Officer, Tourism and Tourism Development Department, No.1, West Veli Street, Madurai - 625 001.

4.The Joint Commissioner, Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Madurai.

+1 CC to M/s.SPL GP ( SR-40216[F] dated 23/12/2021 ) 0RDER MADE IN and W.M.P(MD)No.19155 of 2021 22.12.2021 DJ(CO) GC(04.01.2022) 3P 6C 3/3