Court Can't Be A Mute Spectator & Permit Perpetuation Of Untouchability: Madras High Court On Denial Of Temple Entry To SC Community Members

Lamenting that even after 75 years of Independence, there are instances of denial of temple entry to persons belonging to a particular community, the Madras High Court said that it can not be a mute spectator and allow such instances to continue. Justice PT Asha of the Madurai bench said such instances of denial of entry to the temple even after 75 years of independence should make us hang our heads in shame. “Seventy five years after the country has secured Independence from the Colonial Rule and after constituent assembly had been given to its country men a sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic, securing to its citizens, Justice, social economic and political; Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, Equality of status and opportunity to all and fraternity assuring the dignity of an individual and the unity and integrity of this nation, instances as set out in the case on hand should make each of us hang our heads in shame,” the court said. The court was hearing a plea filed by Mathi Murugan, seeking to appoint an Executive Officer in the Arulmighu Shri Mangala Nayaki Amman Temple and to permit him and his community members to participate in the festivities of the temple.