Consider opening places of Worship for all Faiths: HC to State Govt

On Tuesday, the High Court of Bombay said the Govt. of Maharashtra should consider allowing people of all faiths to visit their respective places of worship, especially when a gathering of 20-30 people was being allowed to attend weddings & funerals amid the raging COVID-19 outbreak in the state, which is the worst affected as far as the contagion is concerned.

“All religions should be allowed to some extent … If you allow people to gather for weddings & funerals, why not allow them in temples?” asked the 2-member HC division bench, comprising Justice SJ Kathawalla & Justice Madhav Jamdar.

The bench suggested that in order to ensure that no crowd gathers at the shrines at any point of time, the State Govt could fix certain time slots & the number of persons to be allowed to enter a temple within the stipulated timeframe.

It recommended that the public might be allowed if they follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) laid down by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), including maintaining social distancing norms etc.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by Ankit Vora (30), a Bhandup resident, seeking direction to the state authorities to permit opening of Jain temples for the annual holy festival of Paryushana, which will be held between August 15 & 23.

He also sought permission for allowing members of Shwetamber Murtipujak Jain community to perform religious functions & worship during this festive season in Jain temples.

Vora contended that the Central Govt has permitted the opening of places of worship, subject to following maintaining social distancing, and, as a result, the State Govt should also allow religious shrines in Maharashtra to open & come out with necessary guidelines to that effect.

Prafulla Shah, who represented Vora, submitted that offering prayers at places of worship were more necessary amid the Covid-19 pandemic when the public is striving for mental peace.

Shah complained that places of worship were ordered to remain closed when liquor shops are allowed to do business.

State Govt pleader Purnima Kantharia responded to the plea pointing out that the authorities have been indiscriminate in opening places of worship to all faiths.

Additional Solicitor-General (ASG) Anil Singh responded to the petition pointing out that the Central Govt has permitted the opening of places of worship outside Covid-19 containment zones & on July 29 issued separate guidelines for such places.

“Now, there is no restriction on visiting places of worship outside containment zones,” Singh said. But there can be no gatherings at the shrines, he said.

The offering of common prayers, religious functions, & ceremonies, touching of idols, etc. is prohibited under the guidelines, he added.

However, Singh suggested that the State Govt should take a call on the issue. He supported the Court’s suggestion that the petitioner should be asked to submit representations to the State Govt, which, in turn, should be directed to decide the matter expeditiously.

High Court accepted the suggestion & directed the petitioner to submit representations to the secretary, disaster management department, Maharashtra.

The bench will hear the case next on Aug 13. 

Source Link