The Supreme Court is scheduled to consider in January 2025 a plea seeking to stop the additional fees charged by Temples to provide 'VIP Darshans' of deities.
The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a writ petition seeking the abolition of VIP darshan fees charged by temples across the country.
During the hearing, the Court objected to certain news reports which misrepresented its previous hearings. The exchange went as follows :
CJI: Last time whatever happened in the court is completely misrepresented in the media.
Counsel: Mylords I am not aware, they have completely put it on their own
Justice Kumar: it's all over the country
CJI: completely misrepresented
Counsel: No communication at all, I read it in newspaper
Justice Kumar: Obviously you went to the media, there is no question of they finding out of what is happening in the court...some stray observation of CJI....you blew out of proportion
Counsel: There are correspondents keeping a regular track of what is happening.
CJI: Look sometimes, in the course of hearing, we put some questions, you on a tangent saying I am not asking for this or that.
The matter will now be heard on January 27, 2025.
The plea contends that the practice of providing special or expedited 'darshan' in Temples under the additional 'VIP' darshan fees is violative of the quality principle under Article 14 and 21 as it discriminates against those devotees who cannot afford such fees.
The petition states that the charging of excess fees ranging from Rs. 400-500 to get a closer and efficient access to the temple deities lack consideration towards those ordinary devotees who face Mutiple physical and financial obstacles who are unable to pay for such 'VIP Entry Charges'. Amongst the disadvantaged devotees, women, persons with disabilities and senior citizens face a larger set back.
Notably, the petitioner highlights that despite several representations to the Ministry of Home Affairs to resolve the issue, only a limited directive has been given to state of Andhra Pradesh, leaving out other states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
The petition seeks (1) declaration of abolition of the VIP Darshan Fees as violative of right to equality and religious freedom ; (2) direction for equal treatment of all devotees; (3) framing of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by Union to ensure equal access to temple; (4) constitution of a National Board to oversee issues regarding management of temples
Case Details : VIJAY KISHOR GOSWAMI Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.| W.P.(C) No. 700/2024