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New Delhi: The Supreme Court criticised on Monday criticised the practice of permitting special pujas for affluent people in exchange of money. It was observed that such practices disrupt the rest time of the deity.
The bench, which consisted of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi was hearing a plea relating to Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. The plea challenged recent changes in the temple’s darshan timings as well as the suspension of certain religious practices. The top court listed the matter for further hearing in January. Members of the Goswami community have filed the petition.
During the hearing, it also issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government, district authorities, and the temple’s management committee, among others. The CJI observed that the practice followed during the temple’s closing times are a cause of concern.
“After closing the temple at noon, they do not allow the deity to rest even for a minute… this is the time when the deity is exploited the most,” he observed, while referring to allegations that special pujas in exchange of money are held during this period.
Appearing for petitioners, Senior advocate Shyam Divan said that different darshan timings were followed by the temple during the summer and winter which are linked directly with internal rituals and the rest of the timing of the deity. Diwan contended that there should be no special puja during the deity’s resting time.
The top court, while acknowledging the concerns related to crowd control and fear of stampede, pointed out that any directions must be practical and must have the potential for strict enforcement. It further observed that mismanagement more often than not affects the weaker sections of society.
