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.
Trump's tariff bomb will be a dud! India resets diplomacy, Chinese foreign minister is coming to Delhi to formulate a new strategy
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in Delhi on Monday (August 18) for a two-day visit, hol
On the strength of Harry Brook and Joe Root's centuries, England has brought their team closer to
More than 70 petitions filed against the Waqf Law were heard in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. T
MK Stalin: 'Yogi Adityanath wants to lecture us on hatred, this is comedy', Stalin targets UP CM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has attacked Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, expressing str
In the eliminator match of IPL 2025, Gujarat team had to face defeat by 20 runs at the hands of M
Actor Vicky Kaushal starrer 'Chhaava' is in theatres and is earning a lot even after a month. On
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and prominent saints have issued an appeal to the devotees who hav
Virat Kohli, who has retired from Test cricket, and his wife Anushka Sharma reached Vrindavan on
Breathing air in Delhi-NCR has become a luxury. A recent study by consumer research firm Smytten
Popular TV and Marathi industry actress Priya Marathe passed away after battling cancer. Priya, w
