Consider allowing people of all faiths to enter Jagannath Temple, Supreme Court [Read Order]

Supreme Court yesterday passed an order asking the management of Jagannath Temple, Puri to consider allowing entry of people belonging to all faiths to pay their respects to the deity.

. The Court also said that difficulties faced by the visitors and maintenance of hygiene are issues that need to be considered with regard to shrines across the country.

. In this regard, the Court passed the significant direction that a devotee can move the concerned jurisdictional District Judge, anywhere in India, over a grievance relating to problems faced at any shrine in the jurisdiction of the concerned District Judge. The District Judge will be bound to examine the same and send a report to the High Court.

. A Bench of Justices AK Goel and Abdul Nazeer passed this order in a petition highlighting the issues faced by pilgrims at Jagannath Puri. Senior Counsel Gopal Subramanium is the Amicus Curiae in the matter.

. On allowing people of all faiths to offer respect to the deity, the Court had the following to say.

. “We also had an interaction on the issue whether the Temple Management can consider, subject to such regulatory measures with regard to dress code, furnishing of a declaration or such other requirements as considered necessary permitting every visitor irrespective of his faith to offer respects and make offerings to the Deity.

. Placing reliance on Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Nala Sangam and ors. vs. Government of Tamil Nadu and Anr. [2016 (2) SCC 725] and the book by Justice PB Gajendragadkar, ‘To the Best of my Memory’, the Court emphasised on the inclusive nature of Hinduism.

. “We have noted that Hinduism does not eliminate any other belief and is eternal faith and wisdom and inspiration of centuries, as noted in earlier judgments of this Court.”

. The Order quotes a paragraph from the 2016 judgement in the case Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Nala Sangam vs. Government of Tamil Nadu ,

. “Hinduism, as a religion, incorporates all forms of belief without mandating the selection of elimination of any one single belief. It is a religion that has no single founder; no single scripture and no single set of teachings. It has been described as Sanatan Dharma, namely, eternal faith, as it is the collective wisdom and inspiration of the centuries that Hinduism seeks to preach and propagate.”

. It, therefore, directed the following with regard to allowing people of all faiths to enter the temple.

. “The temple management may consider, subject to regulatory measures, with regard to dress code, giving of an appropriate declaration or compliance with other directions, permitting every visitor irrespective of his faith, to offer respects and to make offerings to the deity.”

. On the question of mismanagement and problems faced by pilgrims and visitors, the Court said that all shrines in India regardless of the faith practised in these shrines, need to consider these problems. The Court said that since this is a subject under the Concurrent List, both, the Central government as well as State governments need to look into this.

. Significantly, the Court ordered that a devotee can move the concerned jurisdictional District Judge, anywhere in India, over a grievance relating to problems faced at any shrine in the jurisdiction of the concerned District Judge. The District Judge is bound to examine the same and send a report to the High Court. The High Court can then treat such a report as a PIL on the judicial side and issue appropriate directions.

. In addition to these, the Court also accepted the suggestions made by the District Judge to deal with the issues plaguing Jagannath temple and directed the temple administration to take action pursuant to the suggestions.

. Significant among these is the suggestion for abolition of hereditary sevaks/ appointment of sevaks and ban on collection of money for Annadan Atika by Sevaks as well as a ban on placing Thali and Pitches by Sevaks to receive offering.

. Other suggestions include steps like a queue system for darshan , separate toilets for men, women and sevaks , an audit of temple funds, issuance of identity cards for temple staff and sevaks and registration guides.

. The Court has ordered the Centre to set up a committee within two weeks to look into these aspects and submit its report by August 31.

. The Court will hear the matter next on September 5.

. Read the order below.

Consider allowing people of all faiths to enter Jagannath Temple, Supreme Court [Read Order]

Shruti Mahajan

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