The Madras High Court has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation concerning alleged discrimination against non-Brahmin devotees of the Thenkalai Vaishnavite tradition at the Arulmigu Devaraja Swamy Temple in Kancheepuram.
A Division Bench of Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice E. Manoharan recorded the temple administration’s assurance that devotees would not be discriminated against in the distribution of Theertham, Satari and Prasadam, or prevented from reciting Prabandhams during worship.
Background of the Case
The petitioner, a resident of Kancheepuram and a devotee of Lord Devarajaswamy, approached the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution.
The plea raised concerns over the treatment of non-Brahmin devotees, particularly at the Sri Manavala Mamunigal shrine. According to the petitioner, non-Brahmin devotees were allegedly required to use a side entrance while Brahmin devotees could use the main entrance. The petition also raised concerns regarding access to Prasadam, Theertham and Satari, as well as recitation of Tamil Prabandhams.
The temple administration disputed any caste-based discrimination. It stated that the sub-shrines were small and that even service holders could not always be accommodated inside during rituals. It also assured the Court that there would be no discrimination in the distribution of Theertham, Satari and Prasadam.Court’s Observation
The Bench noted that the temple administration’s undertaking addressed the petitioner’s grievance concerning the distribution of religious offerings.
The Court observed, “there is no room for discrimination in a place of worship,” while referring to earlier judicial decisions on the issue. The Bench also referred to the Bhagavad Gita and its teaching that God is equally disposed towards all living beings.
On the issue of Prabandham recitation, the Court recorded the administration’s position that, except for the rights attached to the Adhyabaga Mirasi service of the Thenkalai sect, the petitioner or any other person or group would not be prevented from reciting Prabandhams in the temple’s shrines for worship.
Decision
The Bench held that the assurances recorded from the temple administration addressed the grievances raised in the petition. It preserved the arrangement under which devotees, including the petitioner, could recite hymns in the shrines without discrimination while respecting the traditional service rights.
Accordingly, the Madras High Court disposed of W.P. No. 9273 of 2019. There was no order as to costs.
Case Details
Case Title: Madhavan Ramanuja Dasan v. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department & Ors.
Case Number: W.P. No. 9273 of 2019
Judge: Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice E. Manoharan
Decision Date: 17 August 2026
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