Supreme Court refuses to take up plea against ‘VIP darshan’ in temples

“While we whitethorn beryllium of the sentiment that nary peculiar attraction beryllium fixed with respect to introduction to temples, we bash not deliberation it is simply a acceptable lawsuit to workout jurisdiction nether Article 32. We clarify that dismissal of the petition volition not successful immoderate mode barroom the due authorities from taking enactment arsenic they require,” said the court.

The counsel appearing for the petitioner, Vijay Kishor Goswami, contended that the peculiar attraction to VIPs for darshan successful temples is arbitrary and violates the principles of equality nether Article 14 of the Constitution. He said modular operating procedures (SoP) should beryllium formulated truthful that each person adjacent opportunity.

When helium submitted that the deficiency of SoPs was besides starring to unfortunate mishaps similar stampedes, the seat said that the petitioner’s interest appears to beryllium astir instrumentality and bid and the plea should person been circumstantial connected that.

The counsel pointed retired that spiritual tourism is much than 50 percent successful the country’s full tourism sector, and added that peculiar darshan facilities are present followed successful the 12 jyotirlingas and each shaktipeeths.

The plea contended that temples charging a interest from devotees to person person darshan is discriminatory towards the multitude of devotees who bash not person the fiscal resources to wage VIP introduction charges.

The petitioner said that helium had fixed galore representations to the Ministry of Home Affairs connected this but the ministry has lone issued a constricted directive to Andhra Pradesh, leaving retired states similar Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which spot important pilgrim footfall.

The court, however, said it was a argumentation substance for the authorities to enactment upon.

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