‘No Special Treatment Be Given For Temple Entries’, Says SC While Declining To Entertain PIL Against ‘VIP Darshans’

The Supreme Court on Friday (January 31) refused to entertain a plea challenging the VIP darshan system in temples, where devotees can pay extra for quicker access to deities.

While acknowledging that such special treatment is arbitrary, the Court said it couldn’t issue directions under Article 32, leaving it to the government to decide. A bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a petition arguing that VIP darshan fees violate the Right to Equality (Article 14) by discriminating against devotees who cannot afford them.

The petitioner also urged the government to set up Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure fair access and prevent stampedes. The petition states that the charging of excess fees ranging from Rs. 400-500 to get closer and efficient access to the temple deities lacks consideration towards those ordinary devotees who face multiple physical and financial obstacles and are unable to pay for such ‘VIP Entry Charges’.

The Chief Justice observed that the issue was more of law and order and suggested a more specific petition. The Court clarified that while it won’t intervene, the government is free to take necessary action. This decision leaves the debate open—should temples continue to offer special privileges for a price, or should all devotees be treated equally?
Source: – Live Law
By: – Rajat Ranjan
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