Wed Jul 16 15:32:52 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has intervened in a case of caste-based discrimination in Thalaivankottai, Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu. The court directed the Tenkasi Collector to ensure that Scheduled Caste individuals are not discriminated against in accessing public water taps. The court emphasized the fundamental right to water, condemned the persistence of caste prejudice, and urged authorities to take practical and proactive steps to address the issue and provide equitable access to water for all communities, regardless of caste.

**News Article:**

**Madras High Court Orders Action Against Caste Discrimination in Water Access**

**Madurai, July 16, 2025:** The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has taken a strong stance against caste-based discrimination in the distribution of water, directing the Tenkasi Collector to take immediate action to ensure equitable access for all communities in Thalaivankottai, Tenkasi district.

The ruling comes in response to a complaint filed by a woman from the Scheduled Caste community, alleging that members of her community are forced to wait until other communities have taken their share of water from public taps.

Justice R.N. Manjula stated that natural resources like water are common to all and ordered the Tenkasi Collector to ensure there are enough taps for all and make sure that no group takes too much water and that no one has exclusive ownership of a tap by community. The judge was surprised that in the 21st century, people still face this kind of discrimination in terms of basic needs like water.

“Water is the elixir of life, and the entitlement to get uncontaminated good water is a visage of the right to life and hence it is a fundamental right,” the court declared. It criticized the persistence of caste-based oppression, despite existing legislation designed to protect vulnerable communities. The court also said that practical solutions and immediate action are needed

The court emphasized that authorities cannot remain “mute spectators” and urged them to utilize their powers to address the issue effectively.

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