S. NAGALINGAM Vs. THE STATE AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner in W.P.(MD) No. 2598 of 2016, has sought for a Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 to give necessary protection to Masi Mahasivarathiri festival to be celebrated by him, and his community people, in Arulmighu Kattu Karuppanasamy Kovil, Maravankulam Village, Tirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District from 06.03.2016 to 09.03.2016 and connected festivities.

(2.) After going through the materials on record, Writ Court has found that there is a dispute between the members of Washermen Community and Pillaimar Community regarding the conduct of Mahasivarathiri celebrations in Arulmighu Kattu Karuppanasamy Kovil, Maravankulam Village, Tirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District. Writ Court has also noticed that an order in O.A. No. 19 of 2002 dated 15.02.2011 of the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE, Madurai, directing both the community people to worship and participate in Mahasivarathiri festival. Before the Writ Court, the petitioner has also contended that a Peace Committee Meeting was conducted by the Tahsildar, Tirumangalam, in which the members of Pillaimar Community were heard and they were objecting to recognise the rights of Washermen Community.

(3.) In the above stated circumstance, the Writ Court, vide order dated 05.02.2016 in W.P.(MD) No. 2598 of 2016, directed the Revenue Divisional Officer, Usilampatti to conduct an enquiry and after hearing both parties, to take appropriate decision. The Writ Court has further directed that the Revenue Divisional Officer should also take note of the law and order situation in the area. Being aggrieved by the same, the present appeal has been filed.