100 Years of Christian-Only Access to Govt Land Ends: Madras HC's Heartwarming Verdict Opens Doors for All Faiths – Read the Judge's Unity Anthem!

Madurai- In a stirring verdict, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on October 31, overturned a local ban on Hindu "Annadhanam" (community meals) in Christian-majority N. Panchampatti Village of Dindigul District. Justice G.R. Swaminathan's ruling not only greenlit the event for Kaliyamman Temple's Kumbhabhishekam on November 3 but delivered a viral message on cross-faith bonds: "In every religious event, there must be participation from the other religionists also. When a Christian friend celebrates Christmas, I should greet him first."

In the village in question, there are 2500 Christian families. On the other hand, there are only 400 Hindu families. The Hindus are grossly outnumbered by the Christians. T K. Rajamani, a Hindu resident, who in October 2025 requested Tahsildar permission for Annadhanam, Hinduism's charitable meal ritual on the ground, ideal for feeding devotees seated comfortably. Officials balked, citing "law and order" risks from Christian opposition. Inspector Subhadra of Chinnalapatti Police testified in court: Allowing it could ignite unrest in the outnumbered Hindu minority. The Tahsildar rejected the plea on October 24, redirecting to a roadside spot, impractical for a dignified feast.

The flashpoint was a government-owned "vacant site / grama natham" (village commons) known as Sunkasavadi Ground, managed by the panchayat. For over 100 years, a corner of this open space has housed the "Pascha Stage", a weathered platform built around 1925 for Christian Easter dramas, passion plays, and festivities. Drawing crowds from across the district, these events turned the ground into an annual Christian enclave, with Hindus historically barred from religious use. A 1912 Tahsildar proceeding from the British Raj formalized this divide, designating the site for "non-Hindu" gatherings to avert clashes.

Tensions boiled over in 2017 when a peace committee comprising village elders, police, and community leaders convened amid rising frictions. The resolution? No deviations: Functions limited to "permitted practices over the last 100 years." Easter celebrations stayed sacred territory; Hindu events, off-limits. "This has been the practice for more than a century there cannot be any departure," argued Suresh Perkmans, the Christian respondent, in his counter-affidavit. He claimed Hindu intrusions risked "communal equilibrium," echoing fears of processions clashing with stage events.

Court's Firm Rebuke: Govt Land Means "All Faiths Welcome"

Justice Swaminathan, after probing records and hearing all sides, shredded the objections. Citing a 2021 Division Bench order barring private builds on the ground, he affirmed: "It belongs to the Government... available to all sections irrespective of religious background." Pre-1950 customs? Invalid. "We are a secular, democratic republic. Our Constitution came into force on 26.01.1950. Any pre-constituitonal arrangement that is not in accord with the constitutional provisions and ethos cannot be allowed to continue. A public ground should be available for the use of all communities or none. I cannot accept the submission that while Christians can use the ground on Easter but Hindus cannot conduct Annadhanam in the very same place. It is not as if on the occasion of Easter, the Hindus want to conduct Annadhanam or any other event in the very same ground. I would go to the extent of observing that when it comes to Easter celebrations, the Christian community alone should be allowed to use the ground. If anybody else seeks permission to use the ground on the said occasion, it should be refused."

Quashing the order, the court permitted the event (with cleanup mandates) and tasked Dindigul SP with security. "The rights of the Christian community" remain untouched, he assured.

Read the full order here: