Supreme Court docket refuses to take up plea in opposition to ‘VIP darshan’ in temples | India Information

“Whereas we could also be of the opinion that no particular remedy be given with regard to entry to temples, we don’t assume it’s a match case to train jurisdiction below Article 32. We make clear that dismissal of the petition is not going to in any method bar the suitable authorities from taking motion as they require,” mentioned the courtroom.

The counsel showing for the petitioner, Vijay Kishor Goswami, contended that the particular remedy to VIPs for darshan in temples is bigoted and violates the rules of equality below Article 14 of the Structure. He mentioned commonplace working procedures (SoP) needs to be formulated so that every one have equal alternative.

When he submitted that the shortage of SoPs was additionally resulting in unlucky mishaps like stampedes, the bench mentioned that the petitioner’s concern seems to be about legislation and order and the plea ought to have been particular on that.

The counsel identified that non secular tourism is greater than 50 p.c within the nation’s complete tourism sector, and added that particular darshan amenities at the moment are adopted within the 12 jyotirlingas and all shaktipeeths.

The plea contended that temples charging a payment from devotees to have nearer darshan is discriminatory in the direction of the multitude of devotees who don’t have the monetary assets to pay VIP entry fees.

The petitioner mentioned that he had given many representations to the Ministry of Dwelling Affairs on this however the ministry has solely issued a restricted directive to Andhra Pradesh, leaving out states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which see important pilgrim footfall.

The courtroom, nonetheless, mentioned it was a coverage matter for the federal government to behave upon.