New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday allowed devotees to offer Paryushan prayers in three Jain temples in Mumbai amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, however, said that permission for Ganpati festival will have to be taken on a case-to-case basis from the Maharashtra Disaster Management Authority.
The apex court said that no permission for prayers would be given for any other temple in Mumbai.
"We direct the petitioners shall follow the SOP," the bench said while permitting devotees to visit Jain temples at Dadar, Byculla and Chembur.
Talking in context of discriminatory against religions, CJI said that right now only 2 days are left for Paryushan puja so the relief is granted to them, bigger question on allowing religious festivals will be addressed later by them on case to case basis.
The bench was hearing an appeal against the Bombay High Court order which had said that it did not wish to interfere with the state's decision of not to permit Jain temples in Mumbai to open for devotees to mark the eight-day Paryushan festival from August 15 to 23 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Citing an example of Jagannath Yatra, CJI questioned that if it could be held with proper safeguards and distancing with no adverse outcome, why can't other festivals be held as well. CJI suggested Maharashtra to decide on a case to basis rather than putting a blanket ban.
We are saying allow it for a group of temples, as far as others are concerned, we can set up a committee in the state or give power to the police commissioner to allow or disallow depending on the situation, suggested CJI.
"We find this very strange that every activity they are allowing involves economic interest. They are willing to take the so-called risk if money is involved but if it involves religion, they talk about COVID risks," remarked CJI.
Centre also confirmed to the apex court that it has no objection if SOP is followed properly.
