MADURAI: Seeking to put an end to the caste-based discrimination in temple worship that has been festering for nearly three decades, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has brought the Muthalamman temple in Uthapuram under its direct control to ensure the right to worship guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution.
The nondescript village near Usilampatti in Madurai came to national attention in 2008 after the oppressed community and the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front of the CPM protested the existence of an ‘untouchability wall’ between the houses of members of the Devendrakula Velalar (a Scheduled Caste community) and Pillaimar, a dominant caste in southern Tamil Nadu.
Though the then DMK government headed by chief minister M Karunanidhi demolished a portion of the wall, the key point of contention – the rights of Devendrakula Velalar community members to worship at the Muthalamman temple, which belongs to the Pillaimar community, and the peepal tree located within its premises – had remained unresolved for nearly 30 years. Although temple festivals had been conducted over the years, the customary Abhishekams and Utsavams for the deities were not being performed.
“…to find a permanent solution to the worship-related problems of the petition temple by executing the order to be passed within legal rules regarding the rights dispute between the two communities, it is essential to establish the right to worship for everyone as guaranteed under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, and to bring the petition temple under the direct control of the HR&CE,” said V Sabaramathi, Joint Commissioner, HR&CE Department.
The order was issued based on the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court's April 21, 2025, judgment in a writ appeal, which directed the Joint Commissioner (Dindigul) to initiate proceedings under the HR&CE Act to determine the customary practice governing worship of the Thala Virutcham (peepal tree).
The representatives of the two communities held discussions in 1989 to resolve the dispute. As per the agreement reached on June 23, 1989, Devendrakula Velalars were restricted from worshipping or offering respects to the Peepal tree. They could come only up to the bridge on the panchayat road branching southwards from the main road on the day of Kayiru Kuthum, worship the deity, and leave. Only the regular Maruladis (deity-possessors) and the priest were permitted to enter the area.
Despite the agreement, several peace committee meetings in the presence of Revenue and police officials, and even various orders being passed by the High Court, the dispute continued to fester.
The order noted that no specific solution to the dispute over worship of the peepal tree was reached even at the peace committee meeting held on October 20, 2011, under the chairmanship of the police superintendent. Subsequently, in writ petition No. 10500 of 2010, the Madurai Bench directed the district administration to take appropriate measures to implement the agreement reached under the leadership of the SP. Against this backdrop, the bench directed the HR&CE Department to address the dispute over worship of the temple.
Following this, the Assistant Commissioner of Theni and the Inspector of the Peraiyur Range have been directed to take immediate action to bring the temple under the direct control of the HR&CE Department.