According To The Karnataka HC, Bala Sanyasa Is Legal; There Is No Legal Or Constitutional Barrier To A Child Becoming A Saint

NAME OF THE CASE AND CORAM

• Case Name: P Lathavya Acharya And State Of Karnataka
• Case Citation: WP 8926/2021

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• No violation of Fundamental rights by practicing Bala-sanyasa.
• The selection of Shiroor Mutt's Peedathipathi is in keeping with central government initiatives, including the National Policy for Children.

CASE PROCEEDINGS

• The Court dismissed the petition, stating that the petition had not been able to make out any infringement of any statute requirements or any breach of respondent 7's fundamental rights.
• “The basic practice of religion has been going on for the last 800 years, and the appointment of a pontiff is a practise that has been continuing on over the last 800 years, demonstrating Sri Madhvacharya's philosophy and doctrine.”
• It was claimed that theBala-sanyasa has been practised for over 800 years. All Asthamathas have had bala-sanyasi as peethadhipathis since their establishment, and they have effectively and productively governed and administered Sri Krishna Matha and their individual Astha Mathas.
• Furthermore, it was claimed that there had been no disagreement regarding the mutt's management for the previous 18 months. There was no public benefit at stake in this matter; except from these petitioners, no Shirur mutt devotees have raised any objections to the anointment.
• It was stated that the appointment ofPeedathipathi of Shiroor Mutt was in line with the Central government's policies, which include the National Policy for Children of 2013.

CASE RELEVANCE

• On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court confirmed the legitimacy of "balasanyasa," ruling that there is no legal barrier to a kid becoming a swami.
• The judgement was delivered by a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum while rejecting a writ petition challenging the legality of 16-year-old Aniruddh Saralathaya (now known as Vedavardhan Tirth) was being chosen as the Peetadhipathi of the Shiroor Mutt in Udupi.

Hope you enjoyed reading this. You may now be able to answer the following questions. Let us know in the comments section

• Should Bala-sanyasa be allowed?
• Should children in such crucial years of their lives be allowed to take decisions over such subjects?