NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Puri Jagannath temple to consider allowing every visitor irrespective of his religious faith to offer respects and make offerings to the deity subject to regulatory measures.
A bench of Justices A K Goel and Abdul Nazeer gave the interim order after taking note of the report of the Puri District Judge who has observed that in spite of the earlier orders, Thalis (plates) and Pitchers are being exhibited for the collection of money illegally.
The court directed the temple authorities to refrain the sevaks from the offerings and suggested that the servitors may be given their due remuneration as per rules. It was also brought to the court notice that a large number of foreigners and visitors of other religious faiths also visit the Puri Jagannath temple and at present they are not allowed inside the main sanctum.
The order came on a petition filed by Mrinalini Padhi said 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.
Amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam cited examples of other temples across India like Kamakhya Temple, Assam, Tiruchendur Temple at Tamil Nadu and Dargah Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Ajmer, which attract a large number of visitors of other faiths as well. Additional Solicitor General has assured that Union Ministry of Culture will take due interest in the matter as the issue involves protection of cultural heritage of the country.
The bench asked the Centre to set up a committee to look into these aspects and submit a report to the court by August 31 and directed that if any devotee moves the jurisdictional District Judge throughout India with any grievance on the above aspect in any temple, the District Judge may either himself or by assigning the issue to any other Court under his jurisdiction examine above aspects and if necessary send a report to the High Court concerned. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on September 5.