Aishwarya Rathore –
Published on: September 6, 2021, at 10:10 IST
The Former Supreme Court Justice Kurian Joseph, on September 3, wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, requesting him to open Public places of worship since the second Covid-19 wave has “significantly” slowed.
Justice Joseph informed the Chief Minister that, pursuant to a Department of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) order dated August 31, religious places in Delhi have been allowed to reopen, but tourists and worshipers are still barred from entering.
Justice Joseph wrote, “It is a matter of fact that allowing people to attend religious worship and services would only help to alleviate their deep stress and it would only infuse them with positivity, hope, inner strength and confidence, which is the need of the hour.”
Furthermore, Justice Joseph wrote that “I may also bring to your kind notice that, in the above factual background, the prohibition of services in places of Public worship will be discriminatory and may amount to a denial of the Constitutional rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, 21 and 25 of the Indian Constitution.”
Hence, the letter urged the Delhi Government to take immediate action and permit worship and services in religious places in the National Capital while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.
Also Read: What is Freedom of Religion?