The Supreme Court of India has refused to hear a petition against the VIP Darshan system in temples. The bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, stated that this is not a matter for the court to issue an order. However, the court clarified that if any state government wants to stop this practice, it is free to take action.
What Did the Petition Say?
The petition highlighted that many temples in India offer VIP darshan for people who pay extra money. On the other hand, common devotees, including children, women, and the elderly, are forced to wait in long queues for hours. The petitioner argued that this practice is against human values and violates fundamental rights such as equality and dignity.
Details of the Petition
The petitioner, Vijay Kumar Goswami, named the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and 11 state governments as respondents, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Assam.
The petitioner mentioned that VIP access in some temples costs between ₹400 to ₹5,000, allowing quicker entry. He expressed concern that this system might spread to other famous temples over time.
Petition Demands
The petition requested the Supreme Court to:
- Review the constitutionality of the VIP darshan system.
- Create a standard system for temple darshan.
- Set up a national oversight committee to monitor temple management and address complaints from devotees.
Supreme Court’s Stand
Although the court agreed with the issues raised, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said they cannot hear the case or pass an order on this matter. However, the court left it open for state governments to take action if they choose.