The Supreme Court refused to hear a petition challenging the 'VIP' darshan facility in temples in India.
At the same time, the court also refused to issue any direction under Article 32, but said that getting such 'special facility' in temples is arbitrary. Apart from this, the court told the state governments that appropriate action should be taken on this issue if necessary.
What did the bench say?
In fact, during the hearing of a writ petition seeking the abolition of VIP darshan fee levied by temples across the country, the bench of CJI Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, the counsel for the petitioner stressed the need for the states to bring some kind of 'standard operating procedure' for availing darshan in famous temples. He said that giving special facilities to some people is arbitrary and a violation of the principle of equality. Stampede incidents also occur due to the lack of any SOP.
What was the argument given?
He argued that today 12 Jyotirlingas, all Shaktipeeths are following such a practice, it is completely arbitrary. Let the state formulate some kind of SOP. Please make specific prayers regarding the specific issue, he said. However, the bench agreed that special treatment for darshan is arbitrary. The court cannot issue directions under Article 32. It is a policy matter for the consideration of the government.
What else did the Supreme Court say?
The apex court said that we believe that there should be no special treatment with regard to entry into temples, but we do not think that this is a fit case to exercise jurisdiction under Article 32.
The petition said that the practice of providing special or quick 'darshan' in temples under an additional 'VIP' darshan fee is violative of the principle of Articles 14 and 21, as it discriminates against devotees who cannot afford such expenses. Charging an additional fee of up to Rs 400-500 in the temple lacks consideration for ordinary devotees who face many physical and financial constraints.
IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Team India's 'blast' at Edgbaston, England was blown away due to these 5 reasons
Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, the Indian cricket team ended the 58-year drought at Edgbaston. Team India defeated England by a huge margin of 336 runs in the second Test.
'This is an insult to the martyrs of Galwan', BJP furious after Sam Pitroda's statement on China.
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda has stated the LAC border dispute. BJP has now surrounded him over this. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said, Sam Pitroda's statement is against India's
PM Modi: PM Modi gets 21st international award; yesterday Mauritius announced to give him the country's highest honor
Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be awarded the country's highest honor. He announced that PM Modi will be awarded 'The
Corona cases in the country cross 4300, with 276 cases found in 24 hours; See the condition of your state
Coronavirus cases are continuously increasing in India. Every day a new jump is being seen in the active cases of Corona. The number of active cases of Corona had reached 4000 on the previous day,
'Never accepted anyone's mediation in the matter of Pakistan', Jaishankar shows the mirror to Trump
Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar showed the mirror to US President Donald Trump, who is claiming to bring about an India-Pakistan ceasefire. The Foreign Minister clearly said that we have never
It will be easy to go to Maha Kumbh... Fares for Prayagraj have become stable, Indigo and Akasa have reduced prices.
IndiGo airline on Thursday said that the fares for flights to Prayagraj have stabilized and it has increased the number of flights on this route to 900 for the Maha Kumbh. There were constant
Janhvi Kapoor: Seeing Janhvi in Cannes, fans remembered Sridevi, the outfit has a special connection with Banaras
Indian celebs continue to arrive at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. Now actress Janhvi Kapoor has also made her grand debut in Cannes. Janhvi has reached Cannes for her film 'Homebound'. The entire
Puri Stampede: 147 people recorded their statements in the Puri stampede case. The investigation committee will submit its report on July 30
The investigation committee has recorded the statements of 147 people in the stampede case during the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri last month. Three people died and about 50 people were
Shreya Ghosal: Shreya pays musical tribute to Zubeen Garg, fans get emotional at Women's World Cup ceremony
During the break of the India-Sri Lanka match at the Women's World Cup, Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal gave a 13-minute musical tribute to the late singer Zubeen. The stadium held approximately
Narendra Modi: Farmers, common man, and middle class will get direct benefit from the changes in GST: PM Modi
The central government has taken a big decision on GST rates while taking forward the economic reforms. Under this, now there will be only two rates of GST, five and 12 percent. The GST Council has
