Background of the Case
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Thanjavur District Collector to remove a statue of E.V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, installed on the land belonging to Arulmigu Bramasirakandeeswarar Temple at Kandiyur in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.
The statue was installed near the temple several decades ago. The dispute arose concerning its installation on temple property without obtaining the necessary permission from the competent authorities.
Petition Seeking Removal of the Statue
The writ petition was filed by Rama Ravikumar under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a direction to the State Government and the concerned authorities to remove the statue from the temple premises.
The petitioner relied upon proceedings dated July 8, 2026, issued by the Joint Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, Thanjavur, which recommended the removal of the statue.
The petitioner sought implementation of the recommendation within a time frame fixed by the High Court.
The petition concerned the statue situated in Survey No. 313/35 at Kandiyur.
Status Report and Identification of Temple Land
During the proceedings, the Madras High Court considered the status report submitted by the Thanjavur District Collector.
The report clarified that the land on which the statue had been installed belonged to the temple and was not government poramboke land.
The Court also took note of the fact that permission had not been obtained from the temple administration, the District Collector or any other competent authority before installing the statue.
High Court's Observations and Directions
A Division Bench comprising Justice P. Velmurugan and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan held that the unauthorised installation of the statue on temple property could not be allowed to continue.
The Court specifically observed:
"Since the statue is installed in the temple land without obtaining permission either from the temple authority or from the District Collector or from any other competent authority, the 4th respondent / District Collector is directed to remove the said statue safely from the temple land and also place it in some other suitable place within a period of four weeks from today and file a report."
Accordingly, the Court directed the District Collector, Thanjavur, to ensure the safe removal of the statue from the temple property and relocate it to another suitable place within four weeks.
The Collector was also directed to submit a report confirming compliance with the Court's directions.
Final Decision
The Madras High Court disposed of the writ petition with the above directions and made no order as to costs.
The Court further held that the proposed respondent was not a necessary party to the proceedings and consequently closed the connected miscellaneous petition.
The Registry was directed to list the matter after four weeks to verify compliance with the directions issued to the District Collector.
Legal Significance
The order highlights the importance of protecting temple properties against unauthorised occupation and installations.
The Court's direction was based on the specific finding, supported by the District Collector's status report, that the statue had been installed on temple land without permission from the temple administration or any competent authority.
Importantly, the Court did not direct the permanent destruction of the statue. It specifically ordered its safe removal from temple property and relocation to another suitable place.
The decision concerns the unauthorised installation of a structure on temple property. It should not be understood as a general prohibition against installing statues of public or political personalities or as a determination concerning the personal views or ideology of E.V. Ramasamy.
Case Details
Case Name: Rama Ravikumar v. State of Tamil Nadu and Others
Court: Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court
Date of Decision: 30 October 2026
Case Number: W.P.(MD) No. 22916 of 2026
Connected Case: W.M.P.(MD) No. 19642 of 2026
Coram/Judges: Justice P. Velmurugan and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan
