'Publicity Oriented': SC Says As It Declines Plea For Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs Right To Maintain Religious Places Same As Muslims, Christians

The Supreme Court declined to consider a public interest litigation (PIL) advocating for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs to have the right to establish, manage, and maintain their religious places similar to Muslims, Parsis, and Christians.

The bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, dismissed the petition as 'publicity-oriented litigation,' asserting that the matter falls within the legislative domain, and the court is not inclined to intervene.

The court urged the petitioner, advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, to file a more substantial and proper petition with achievable prayers.

The plea highlighted the need for a uniform code for religious and charitable endowments and criticised the government's control over Hindu temples, emphasising the disparity in managing their own institutions compared to certain religious faiths.

The petitioner argued that the right to manage institutions, as per Article 26, is a natural right applicable to all communities.

However, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs have been denied this privilege.

The plea underscored that a significant proportion of Hindu temples across the country, approximately four lakh out of around nine lakh, are under government control.

Additionally, the Supreme Court rejected a similar petition on the matter filed by Hindu seer Swami Jeetendranand Saraswatee.