New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has refused to consider the petition challenging the system of ‘VIP Darshan’ and ‘Darshan’ in temples across the country. The petitioner’s counsel said that such arrangements have also led to a stampede incident in the temple in many places. It is the constitutional responsibility of the governments to take steps to remove inequality. CJI Justice Sanjeev Khanna said that we will not consider this under Article 32. Although we can also agree with your opinion that no one should be given any special preference, but the court cannot issue instructions under Article 32.
Temples should not have ‘special behavior’
Refusing to consider the petition challenging the ‘VIP’ philosophy in temples in India, CJI Sanjeev Khanna commented on Friday, saying that there should not be such ‘special behavior’ in temples. However, the court refused to issue any instructions under Article 32. The court left it open to government officials to consider the issue. The bench of CJI Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a writ petition seeking to abolish the VIP philosophy fee by temples across the country.
What did the petitioner say anything
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel emphasized the need to come up with any ‘standard operating process’ to take advantage of darshan in the famous temples by the states. He said that giving special behavior to some people is a violation of the principle of arbitrariness and equality. There are also incidents of stampede due to lack of any sop. But CJI said that the issue seems to be of law and order and the petition should be on the same aspect. The bench agrees that preferential behavior for philosophy is arbitrary, but the court cannot issue instructions under Article 32 and is a policy matter for the Center’s idea.
CJI Khanna said that although we can agree with the opinion that no special behavior should be given regarding entry into temples. But we do not think this is a suitable case to exercise jurisdiction under Article 32. We make it clear that by dismissing the petition, the appropriate officers will not be prevented from taking action according to their requirement in any way. In fact, the petition states that the practice of providing special or quick ‘philosophy’ in temples under additional ‘VIP’ philosophy fee is a violation of equality and right to live under Article 14 and 21 as it discriminates against those devotees. Which cannot bear such a fee.
People have to face problems
The petition states that there is no idea towards the common devotees who face many physical and financial obstacles to charge additional fees from Rs 400-500 to close to the gods of the temple and for admission. Such ‘VIP entry fees’ are unable to pay, among the disadvantaged devotees, women, disabled persons and senior citizens have to face a lot of trouble.