COVID-19: Bombay High Court refuses to reopen temples & religious places in Maha

The Bombay high court (HC) on Friday refused to interfere with the Maharashtra government’s decision of not opening temples and religious places in view of the rising coronavirus cases. 

The court reiterated that the situation is not yet favourable to allow the reopening of temples. 

The two-member HC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Surendra Tavade, was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Associate for Aiding Justice, seeking reopening of places of worship for all faiths.

Advocate Dipesh Siroya, the petitioner’s counsel, submitted before the court sying since the Central government has allowed reopening of temples and also covid crisis in Maharashtra has improved, the state government should follow suit.

In his plea, he requested the government should restict religious functions to be held in temples and limit the number of devotees’ visit to temples but allow peple to take darshan.

The bench, however, refused to accept the claim that the pandemic situation in Maharashtra has improved.

“Please pray at home and if have some love left for the humanity, please don’t press for these prayers,” said the bench. “If the situation improves, this court, being the temple of justice, will be the first to reopen, before any other temple opens for devotees,” it added.