CHENNAI: The first Bench of the Madras High Court on Saturday granted an interim stay on a single judge’s order directing the removal of the caste name from the title of the South Indian Senguntha Mahajana Sangam.

The issue arose while hearing a case challenging the appointment of a special officer to administer the Sangam. In that matter, the High Court had earlier directed that caste names be removed from the titles of caste-based associations and that suitable amendments be made to their bylaws.

Challenging the direction, the South Indian Senguntha Mahajana Sangam filed an appeal. When the appeal came up for hearing before Chief Justice MM Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, counsel for the appellant submitted that there had been no objection to the Sangam using its caste name and that the single judge had nevertheless ordered its removal from the association’s title.

Accepting the contention, the chief justice granted an interim stay on the single judge’s direction to remove the caste name.

The Bench also directed the Tamil Nadu government to file its counter-affidavit to the appeal and adjourned the hearing to February 11.