By Rupali Gupta-
On Friday the SC allowed the limited entry of Jain community people on the occasion of Paryushan festival to three Jain temples in Mumbai which are – Dadar, Chembur, and Byculla on 22nd and 23rd August.
Earlier Bombay HC rejected the plea and did not permit devotees to enter the temple from 15th to 22nd August.
The bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said “We are of the view that if the undertaking of faithfully complied with, it would not be hazardous to permit prayers at the three temples,” and they agreed to allow only 5 people at a time inside the temple and maximum up to 250 people per day.
The bench put forward the example of allowing Odisha Rath Yatra and said “This is exactly the choice we had with Odisha Rath Yatra. We believe that if we can ensure that distancing is maintained and people do not gather then merely putting the Rath is not damaging.”
The court also made it very clear that this order will not apply to any other religious gathering.
The Maharastra government argued and said that the state is in worst condition due to COVID-19 and it is very difficult to take precautions and maintain such a large number of people.
In opposing the Maharastra’s statement CJI said “We are referring in particular to the congregation that happens during Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai and other places,”