W.P(MD)No.833 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12.01.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)No.833 of 2026 V.Sekar ... Petitioner Vs 1.The State of Tamilnadu Rep By, The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Administration Department, Ellis Nagar, Madurai. 2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Administration Department, Ellis Nagar, Madurai. 3.Arulmigu Thuvaralpathiamman Thirukovil, Chockalingapuram, Melur Taluk, Madurai District. Rep.By.Its Thakkar/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kalyana Sundareshwarar Thirukovil. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.833 of 2026 4.The Inspector of Police, Kottampatti Police Station, Madurai District. 5.V.Balusamy 6.C.Rajendran ...Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, by directing the third respondent not to allow the first honor (mudhal mariyathai parivattam) to the 5th and 6th respondents at the time of pongal festival celebration dated 15.01.2025 and 16.01.2025 at Arulmigu Thuvaralpathiamman Thirukovil situated at Chokkalingapurama village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District, and consequently direct the four respondent to give a police protection for pongal festival celebration said above date based on petitioner representation dated 31.12.2025. For Petitioner :Mr.S.Balaji For R1 & R2 :Mr.K.Balasubramanian Additional Government Pleader O R D E R The petitioner, who is the resident of Chokkalingapuram and devotee of his village temple, namely, Arulmigu 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.833 of 2026 Thuvaralpathiamman Temple, with a grievance that the third respondent/Thakkar is giving first honour to the fifth and sixth respondents submitted a representation that there shall not be any first honour to anybody as per the policy decision taken by the Government, has approached this court seeking a writ of mandamus, directing the third respondent not to provide any first honour to anybody. 2.Mr.K.Balasubramanian, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents 1 & 2 and submits that they are not providing any first honour in the temple, as projected by the petitioner. 3. A policy decision was taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu that there shall not be any first honour to anybody in the temples in Tamil Nadu. The first honour shall only be for the deity and not for any individuals. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.833 of 2026 4.Recording the submissions of the learned Additional Government Pleader, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 12.01.2026 NCC: Yes/No Index:Yes/No Internet:Yes vrn 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.833 of 2026 To 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Administration Department, Ellis Nagar, Madurai. 2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Administration Department, Ellis Nagar, Madurai. 3.Arulmigu Thuvaralpathiamman Thirukovil, Chockalingapuram, Melur Taluk, Madurai District. Rep.By.Its Thakkar/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kalyana Sundareshwarar Thirukovil. 4.The Inspector of Police, Kottampatti Police Station, Madurai District. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.833 of 2026 B.PUGALENDHI, J. vrn Order made in W.P(MD)No.833 of 2026 12.01.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis