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Constitution prohibits exclusion, its values would prevail over religious: SC
New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the Indian Constitution prohibits exclusion of any community or section of people from any place of worship and the constitutional values would prevail over the religious.
A five judge constitution bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra said that the constitutional provision stops exclusion from any religious place and the constitutional values have to weigh over the religious.
Describing the Constitution as a “vibrant and dynamic” document, Justice Chandrachud said that constitution is not bound by any religious practice.
The court said this as lawyers Gopal Sankarranarayanan and V.K. Biju appearing for intervenor justified the prohibition of women in the age group of 10 to 50 years from entering the Sabarimala temple.
Sankarranarayanan told the court that Sabarimsala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa was open to the people of all the faith, castes and groups irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Appearing for intervenor lawyer Usha Nandini, Sankarranarayanan said that anyone who undertakes 41 days ‘Vrathan’ (penance) is entitled to enter and worship and temple was not exclusionary in its approach.
“The major problem is you are mixing worshipers’ with temple,” Justice Nariman said as Sankarranarayanan tried to emphasise that people of all faith and beliefs can go to the Sabarimala temple.
In a poser, Justice Chandrachud asked what it takes a woman to be a part of Sabarimala. “Is it that I have to undertake 41 days penance to be part of it and my believe in Lord Ayyappa is not enough,” he said.
“You could have said 41 days penance (for entering the temple), you can’t keep them out”, observed CJI Misra saying that the concept of pollution that has been associated with women’s body is an impossible condition.
Faith in deity is one character of a religious denomination, Justice Chandrachud said, adding the rituals of practice does not become a part of religious denomination.
Justice Nariman said that when Sabarimala temple is open to all (people of all the faith), then it does not become a religious denomination.
The court said this in the course of the hearing challenging the practice of barring the entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 years into the temple.
The constitution bench is hearing an October 13, 2017 reference by a three-judge bench which had framed four questions to be addressed by it, including whether excluding women (10-50 years) constitutes an essential religious practice and whether a religious institution can assert a claim in that regard under the umbrella of right to manage its own affairs in the matters of religion.
Besides, the court is examining whether the Ayyappa temple has a denominational character and if it was permissible for a religious denomination managed by a statutory board and funded by the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments to indulge in practices violative of the constitutional principles.
The hearing will continue on August 1.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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