Does the puja performed according to Hindu rituals at official functions by government authorities amount to hurting the religious sentiments of non-Hindus?
A bench of the Gujarat high court raised this question on Tuesday while hearing a PIL filed by one Rajesh Solanki. In his petition, Solanki had objected to the Bhoomi Pujan performed on high court premises by Gujarat governor Dr Kamla and Chief Justice SJ Mukhopadhya in May this year.
While hearing of the petition, the bench of justices Jayant Patel and JC Upadhyay raised a series of questions regarding the legal status of such a Puja. The bench wanted to know from Solanki, who was present in court and arguing for his PIL himself, how such a Puja amounted to hurting the religious sentiments of others, and whether it was barred in law.
Justice Patel said that a person, who believes in the Almighty and also happens to be in a position of power and authority, ultimately offers his prayers in the larger interest of the public. Such a person prays that he be given the strength to deliver to the best of his capacity, the judge said.
“Then how does it [Puja] amount to hurting anyone's religious sentiments?” Justice Patel asked.
The court also held that the Constitution has provided all citizens the freedom to practice any religion.
“We think that, at the bhoomi poojan ceremony, many staff members belonging to the Muslim community might have been present. In your view, was that inappropriate?” the bench asked.
To this question, Solanki replied that he wanted to be pardoned if he sounded arrogant. “But people don't come forward with their grievances and, very frequently, they don't speak out against the authorities. This should not be taken to mean that there is no grievance,” the petitioner said.
After arguing for his petition for a few minutes, Solanki finally sought permission from the bench to hire a lawyer to argue the PIL properly. The bench then posted the next hearing of the case to January 20.
Meanwhile, the lawyer, Dr Mukul Sinha, has expressed his willingness to assist Solanki in the matter as the PIL involves a larger issue of public interest.
Solanki had earlier filed the PIL challenging the bhoomi poojan ceremony that was held on Gujarat high court premises in May 2010 as part of the high court's expansion plan. He had stated that the puja, performed according to Hindu rituals, indicated that the state associates itself with the Hindu religion.
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