VIPs in temples: Supreme Court refuses to entertain PIL against special darshan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a PIL seeking directions against the rising practice of allowing preferential visits to 'VIPs' in temples across India, even while observing that it was also of the opinion that such preferential treatment should not be given.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said, this court cannot issue directions on the issue.

"Sorry. We will not entertain. We may be of the opinion that no special preference should be given, this court cannot issue directions under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution," the bench said to the plea filed by Vijay Kishor Goswami.

On October 27, 2024, the court had said that it will examine the writ petition challenging the imposition of "VIP entry charges" at major temples across India.

The plea contended that the practice of charging fees for expedited preferential darshan of deities discriminated against the section of economically disadvantaged devotees, violating Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Dignity) of the Constitution.

It stated that temples across the country are increasingly charging fees, ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 5000, to facilitate quicker access for those who can afford the charges, while ordinary devotees, often indigent and travelling long distances, faced significant delays in darshan.

The plea contended that such fees might infringe upon the constitutional rights to equality, dignity, and religious freedom.