No caste can claim ownership of a temple : Madras High Court

Chennai – The Madras High Court has ruled that no caste can claim ownership of a temple, and that forming temple administrations based on caste is not a protected religious practice under the Indian Constitution.

The court made this observation while dismissing a petition seeking a directive to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to approve the recommendation for separating the administration of Arulamighu Ponkaliamman Temple from the Arulamighu Mariamman, Angalaman, and Perumal Temple groups.

The petitioner argued that while the other 3 temples were managed by individuals from various castes, the Ponkaliamman Temple had historically been maintained only by members of his caste. However, the court strongly objected to this claim, stating that such demands promote caste-based discrimination and contradict the constitutional vision of a caste-free society.

“This request fosters communal divisions and hatred towards others. No community can monopolize a temple’s management, as temples are sacred places meant for all devotees, irrespective of caste,” the court observed.

Justice Bharat Chakraborty, while delivering the verdict, stated –

1. Caste-based groups may continue their traditional worship, but caste itself is not a recognized ‘religious sect’ under the law.

2. Individuals who promote caste discrimination often disguise their bias as religious identity. They use temples as a “fertile ground” to fuel social divisions and unrest.

3. Many public temples are wrongly labelled as belonging to a particular caste. However, Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution protect only essential religious practices and legitimate religious sects, not caste-based claims over temples.

4. Since this temple is a public place of worship, it must remain open to all devotees, both for worship and administration.