All Religious Places Should Remain Closed: Maharashtra Govt. Tells Bombay HC In Jain Trust’s Petition

Background

• The Maharashtra Govt. issued directives closing down all religious places in the State.

• A petition was filed by two Jain Trusts requesting the Court to quash the directives and allow them to open the
premises for the devotees to collect pious boiled food for the Ayambil fast.

Arguments of parties

• The trust submitted that the permission to open the premises for devotees to come and collect food for fast that would
be starting from Monday for 9 days.

• They requested for food takeaways following Standard Operating Procedures.

• They also submitted that restaurants were allowed to operate but the religious places were closed down.

• The State Govt. however stated, the Court refused reopening of the mosque for Ramdan so there should not be any
bias. All the religious places should remain closed.

• The State proceeded to state that while only 25 people were allowed for marriage ceremonies, the restaurants are not
open now. Also the allowance to collect food would lead to congregation at the place.

Proposal of the Court

• The Court proposed for solution to the crisis by asking the Trusts to arrange for food delivery from online booking
which would make sure that the food reaches the devotees but also would not require the opening of the premises.

• The matter is posted for hearing on 16 March 2021. 

What is your opinion on the stand of the State Govt.?