Prayagraj: Allahabad high court on Monday fixed Jan 17 for hearing a PIL filed by BJP functionary Subramaniam Swami challenging the UP govt's decision to take control and management of some temples and their festivals.
A notification in this regard was issued by UP govt on Sep 18, 2017, and subsequent GO was released on Nov 3, 2017.
The above order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Vikas Budhwa when a request was made by counsel appearing on behalf of Swami.
It has been stated that these orders are in violation of Article 14 (right to equality), 25 (right of freedom of religion) and 31-A (protection of certain laws from being challenged) of Constitution of India.
The petition said the state govt arbitrarily, unconstitutionally and illegally has taken away the management and control of temples and its religious functions.
The temples in question are Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth in Naimishyaran (Sitapur), Vindhyawasni Shaktipeeth (Mirzapur), Maa Pateshwari peeth (Devipatan), and Shakambari Devi Temple Saharanpur.
The plea also prays for a direction to permanently restrain the state govt from taking over or to declare the melas and festivals of temples in the state of UP as govt melas.
These melas attract lakhs of devotees every year during Navratri. The Uttar Pradesh govt has justified its move stating that it would help the district administration to provide essential facilities for the devotees. Additionally, the govt aims to elevate these melas to international standards.