Caste names cannot be used in temple festival invitations; annihilate caste: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has ruled that caste references cannot be printed in temple festival invitations issued by temples administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department [N Samaran Vs The Commissioner].

Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy passed the order while disposing of a petition concerning the Masi Brahmotsavam of Arulmigu Kandhasamy Thirukovil at Thiruporur in Chengalpattu district.

The Court held that since the HR&CE Department is a government body involved in the conduct of temple festivals, invitations cannot contain caste references. If donors provide their names along with caste suffixes, the temple must print only their names without the caste reference.

"Caste is a thing that exists only in the minds of the people. Article 14 of the Constitution of India, enshrines the principle of equality. The very purpose of India becoming a Republic is to treat everyone equally and the concept of caste is based only on birth and birth alone divides people," the Court said.

It further observed that caste is based purely on birth and divides people and endeavour of every authority in the country should be “to annihilate caste and not to perpetuate the same.”

The Court warned that if a festival conducted with the involvement of the HR&CE Department is carried out in a manner that propagates caste or prominently advertises caste identity, “the same cannot be permitted.”

The petition sought a direction to prohibit the use of caste names in invitations for the temple’s 2026 Masi Brahmotsavam and to regulate who can carry the idol during processions.

During the hearing, the State informed the Court that the invitations for the 2026 festival had already been printed and circulated and that the festival was set to commence on February 20.

In light of the same, the Court declined to interfere with this year’s event.

The Court also refused the State’s request to leave the matter to the discretion of donors or temple authorities.

However, the Court issued prospective directions to prevent caste references in future invitations. It noted that earlier judicial orders had already emphasised the need to avoid caste names in temple invitations.

Accordingly, the temple was directed that from the next festival onwards, any pamphlet or invitation must print only the donor’s name without mentioning his or her caste.

On the petitioner’s request to frame a standard operating procedure for selecting “Sri Padhamthangis” (volunteers who carry the idol during processions), the Court declined to intervene.

It observed that volunteers typically carry idols during processions and the issue is best handled by temple authorities on the ground. Framing rules through courts would open a Pandora’s box, the single-judge said.

The petitioner was represented by advocate Abhijeet Krishna.

The State was represented by Additional Advocate General J Ravindran and advocate Karthikeyan.

Other respondents were represented by advocates Ayyadurai and Subbiah.

[Read Judgment]