Holding that a member of the Scheduled Caste community “cannot be treated differently”, the Madras High Court has issued a direction to HR & CE officials and police authorities to ensure that the deity of Arulmigu Bathrakaliammam temple in Nagapattinam district be taken on procession throughout the streets of Kallimedu village, in which members of the community were living.
Petitioner N. Pakkirisamy of Pazhakallimedu of Nagapattinam district alleged that members of the Scheduled Caste community in the village were not allowed to give ubayams ( abhishegam rights) to Arulmigu Bathrakaliammam temple in the village scheduled on August 14 and the procession with the temple deity was not to be allowed to be carried through the streets which predominantly had SC families.
Passing interim orders on a petition by N. Pakkirisamy, belonging to the SC community Justice M.M. Sundresh said, “Prima facie, this court is of the view that the petitioner cannot be treated differently. However, this is a matter which would be decided only after impleadment of opposite group, who are raising objection” and posted the matter after eight weeks.
Despite a promise by the Deputy Superintendent of Police made last year that the ubayam rights would be given from this year following a protest, it was not given to people in Pazhankallimedu village, he claimed, adding no breakthrough was achieved in the peace meeting which was convened this year.
Observing that the people of Pazhankallimedu have been discriminated as they belonged to SC community, the petitioner stated, “Even 65 years of inception of our Constitution, still we have been treated as untouchables. Article 15 says that there shall be no discrimination on the ground of sex, race, caste and place of birth.”
