Faith cant be fenced by caste and divinity cant be confined by human prejudice: Madras HC

Observing that religion can’t be fenced by caste or creed and divinity can’t be confined by human prejudice, the Madras High Court has ordered a temple automotive to be drawn by way of Scheduled Caste (SC) habitations too, at Puthagaram village in Kancheepuram district.

Justice P.B. Balaji refused to just accept the argument made on behalf of a piece of caste Hindus that there was no necessity to deviate from the temple automotive route, being adopted for many years, and immediately draw the automotive by way of a brand new route.

“We, as a society, have developed over time and have tailored to a number of adjustments and subsequently, to withstand change citing settled customized, custom, and apply can by no means be a legitimate defence out there to the non-public respondents,” the choose wrote, whereas permitting a writ petition.

The petition had been filed by native resident A. Selvaraj, by way of his counsel S. Kumarasamy, in search of a course to allow Scheduled Caste individuals to enter the Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple for worship, and likewise to attract the temple automotive by way of their habitations within the village.

S. Anandan of Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front too filed an impleading petition within the case, by way of his counsel R. Thirumoorthy, and supported the rivalry of the writ petitioner that there was certainly a large amount of discrimination in opposition to Scheduled Caste individuals within the village.

On the instructions of the courtroom, the Collector carried out a area inspection, together with income in addition to police officers, and filed a report stating that the temple automotive could possibly be taken by way of the Scheduled Caste habitations too after finishing up minor street repairs on the proposed route.

However, a senior counsel, representing among the caste Hindu leaders within the village, questioned the need for altering the route being adopted for many years and claimed that any change would open the floodgates for a lot of others to make related requests sooner or later.

Not in settlement with such a submission, Justice Balaji wrote: “I see no purpose why the non-public respondents needs to be apprehensive about future and nonexistent claims as on date,” when the official respondents had opined that the temple automotive could possibly be taken to the Scheduled Caste habitations too.

‘God doesn’t discriminate’

“God doesn’t reside in sure streets alone. No road is unworthy of the chariot or the God it carries. God by no means discriminates. So, discrimination can’t be wrapped within the sanctity of custom,” the choose wrote and directed the police to make sure a peaceable run of the automotive by way of the brand new route.

On the opposite grievance of Scheduled Caste individuals not being allowed to enter the temple for worship, the choose stated: “The Constitution of India, beneath Article 17, abolished untouchability. Such abolition was not simply in bodily kind however in true letter and spirit. Therefore, none can dictate phrases as to who’s entitled to face earlier than the deity and worship and who can not.”

He recorded the submission of the official, in addition to non-public respondents, that there was no caste-based discrimination so far as the entry into the temple for worship was involved and that everybody could be entitled to worship the deity. He additionally directed official respondents to make sure that there was no discrimination.