The Supreme Court on Friday told the Jharkhand Government to consider reopening of historic Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple at Deoghar and Baba Basukinath Temple at Basukinath for devotees, as entries were restricted due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The top court said virtual ‘darshan’ of prayers is nothing like actual ‘darshan’ and devotees could be allowed to participate on limited basis.
The apex court was of the view that since the country was reopening now, at least on important occasions Temples, Mosques, Churches and other religious places should also be opened. It refused to interfere with the Jharkhand High Court order of July 3 passed on a plea of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey by which it has rejected the prayer for allowing reopening of both the historic temples and holding of annual ‘Shravani Mela’ in Deoghar and instead allowing virtual ‘darshan’.
A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai and Krishna Murari disposed of the plea but asked the Jharkhand High Court to consider reopening of the temples as the country is now reopening. ‘Virtual darshan is no darshan’.
Devotees could be allowed to participate on limited basis while ensuring social distancing norms.
“The country is now reopening then why the religious places should remain shut. At least on important occasions Temples, Mosques, Churches and other religious places should be opened,” the bench observed.
