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.
Jyoti Malhotra's father Harish Malhotra, accused of espionage, said on Thursday that he did not h
Australian team captain Steve Smith announced his retirement from ODI cricket. The Indian team de
India-Qatar: India-Qatar signed economic agreements, and will work together in these areas
The Finance Ministry said on Tuesday that India and Qatar have signed an agreement to promote and
Amid the violent protests in Nepal, an Indian volleyball team has been safely evacuated by the In
India defeated England by 150 runs in the fifth and final T20 to win the series 4-1. This was Tea
After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, India has tightened its grip on Pakistan and
The uproar over the new Waqf law is increasing across the country. The politics of allegations an
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue of Maha Kumbh tragedy in the Lok S
New GST Rates: Answers to 10 questions arising from the decision of 5 and 12 percent GST, which directly affect the common man
The GST Council has made a historic reform in the rates of indirect taxes and has approved only tw
Three key players from India's World Cup-winning team, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and De
