SC permits opening of Jain temples for rituals

‘Order can’t be cited as precedent for festivals’

The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the Jain community in Mumbai to perform Paryushan rituals for two days — August 22 and 23 — only in three temples belonging to the community located one each in Byculla, Dadar (W) and Chembur.

The petitioner trust Shri Parshwatilak Shwetamber Murtipujak Tapagacch Jain Trust in an undertaking — told the court that the three temples would have 250 devotees each a day and the entry will be restricted to five devotees only at any given time. .

Describing the order permitting performance of Paryushan rituals as a small reprieve, the court said, “After all, the petitioners are not seeking to hold any festivities in congregation” and they have undertaken to restrict the entry of devotees only to five persons at any given time, subject to a maximum of 250 devotees on a single day.

Chief Justice Sharad A. Bobde heading a three judge bench also comprising Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice V. Ramasubramanian said that the order was limited to the Paryushan given its limited participation with restricted entry and can’t be cited as a precedent for the festivals involving large congregations like Ghanesh Chaturthi.

“We make it clear that this order is not intended to be used as a precedent by other persons to seek permission to hold any festivals/festivities which would involve, by their very nature, congregation of people, such as ‘Ganesh Festival’”, the court said shutting its doors on any petitioners who may approach the top court seeking relaxation of restriction for holding festivities relating to Ghanesh Chaturthi which is round the corner. While relaxing restrictions for observance of Paryushan for two days limited to three temples in Mumbai, CJI Bobde noting the resistance by Maharashtra government to any easing of curbs in the wake of Covid pandemic said, “They are willing to take the risk when money is involved but then it comes to religion, they say there is Covid and we can’t do this or that.”

◗ JAIN COMMUNITY in Mumbai to perform Paryushan rituals for two days — August 22 and 23 — only in three temples belonging to the community located one each in Byculla, Dadar (W) and Chembur