The Allahabad High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging a directive issued by the Director of the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute, Ayodhya, which proposed the organisation of Summer Ramayana and Vedic interest workshops in basic schools across Uttar Pradesh. The Court held that the petitioner failed to satisfy the procedural requirements necessary for maintaining a PIL and observed that the petition lacked foundational merit.
The matter originated from a PIL filed by one Dr. Chaturanan Ojha, who sought to question the legality and propriety of a letter dated 5 May 2025, issued by the Director of the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute, Ayodhya. The letter requested Basic Shiksha Adhikaris (BSAs) across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh to coordinate with the Institute for the conduct of "Ramayana and Veda Abhiruchi" workshops during the summer period in state-run basic schools.
The petitioner alleged that the issuance of such a letter for conducting religiously-themed workshops in government schools was improper and raised concerns of constitutional propriety.
The petitioner claimed to be a socially aware academic and challenged the administrative decision on public interest grounds. However, no substantial details about his locus standi or credentials were disclosed in the pleadings. Furthermore, it was not explained how the petitioner, a resident of Deoria district, came into possession of the impugned communication issued by the District Basic Education Officer of Maharajganj, a separate district altogether.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra noted serious procedural deficiencies in the PIL. The Court observed, “The petitioner, without disclosing his credentials except for as noticed hereinbefore, claiming himself to be a socially conscious citizen and an academic, has failed to comply with the requirements of the Allahabad High Court Rules pertaining to filing of the public interest litigation, which requires several declarations.”
The Court also questioned the petitioner’s credibility and held that he had failed to explain his source of access to the administrative communication, thereby indicating possible concealment. The bench remarked, “The petitioner has nowhere indicated as to how and in what manner, he came in possession of the said documents, being a resident of district Deoria as the communication has been issued by the District Basic Education Officer, Maharajganj, a different district. The petitioner apparently has attempted to suppress his credentials.”
Concluding that the petitioner lacked bona fide intent and had not adhered to the procedural prerequisites for filing a PIL, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition. As a result, the proposed Ramayana and Vedic interest workshops in government-run basic schools across the state may now proceed without legal hindrance.
Picture Source :
