Tamil Nadu: Madras High Court permits reopening of Dharmaraja Draupadi Amman Mandir for daily rituals

The Madras High Court has granted permission to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department to reopen the Dharmaraja Draupadi Amman temple located in Melpathi, Villupuram district, for conducting daily rituals and poojas. However, the court has refrained from allowing devotees to enter the temple premises, citing concerns over potential law and order issues.

The interim orders were issued by a single judge of the Madras High Court, Justice N Anand Venkatesh, in response to a petition filed by K Balu, the head of PMK’s legal wing. The decision comes in the wake of several pleas seeking the resumption of daily pooja rituals in the temple, considering the sentiments and beliefs of the local villagers.

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The Draupadi Amman temple had been shuttered since June 2023 following a clash over the entry of men from the Scheduled Caste community for worship. The dispute escalated in April of the same year when Dalits were denied entry into the temple, leading to multiple rounds of talks by the district administration to resolve the impasse. However, no consensus could be reached on the issue, resulting in friction between the communities and the filing of at least four FIRs.

Administered by the HR and CE department, the temple’s closure was a preventive measure to avert potential law and order problems amid escalating tensions. Despite efforts to mediate the dispute, the situation remained unresolved, prompting authorities to seal the temple premises.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh, presiding over the case, stipulated that the temple would only be accessible to the priest for performing pujas, following which the premises must be closed to all individuals. The interim arrangement will remain in place until further orders from the court, with stringent measures in place to prevent any potential violence or disruption.

Furthermore, Justice Venkatesh underscored the importance of ensuring public safety, particularly in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Any attempts to disturb the peace or cause unrest will be met with decisive action by the police, as authorized by the court.

To enforce these directives, the Villupuram superintendent of police has been instructed to deploy an adequate number of personnel to maintain order and swiftly address any issues that may arise. Authorities have been directed to promptly report any incidents to the court, which will then take appropriate action to maintain the status quo and uphold public safety.

During the proceedings, Tamil Nadu Advocate General PS Raman highlighted the volatile situation prevailing in the area and urged the court to consider the sentiments of the local villagers in its decision-making process. Assurances were given by the state government that the police would effectively enforce the court’s directives to prevent unauthorized entry into the temple during the rituals.

The court’s decision reflects its commitment to balancing religious freedoms with the imperative of maintaining law and order, especially during periods of heightened tension. By allowing the temple to conduct rituals under strict supervision, the court aims to address the religious sentiments of the local community while minimising the risk of potential conflicts.