Madras High Raised Concerns Over Legal Validity of Caste-Based Associations & Their Registration

The Madras High Court has raised concerns over the legal validity of caste-based associations and their registration under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act.

Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that such organizations reinforce caste identities, contradicting the constitutional vision of a casteless society.

Hearing a petition by South Indian Senguntha Mahajana Sangam challenging government orders, the court expanded the discussion beyond the petitioner’s grievances.

It questioned whether caste-named associations with restrictive bylaws could be legally registered, especially when running educational institutions.

Citing Ashoka Kumar Thakur (2008), the court warned that such registrations may undermine social equity. It sought the Tamil Nadu government’s stance while maintaining the status quo until further orders.