Permission granted by HC to keep two Jain temples open on Diwali

Mumbai : The High Court on Tuesday allowed two Jain temples in Mumbai to remain open for five days from Dhantrayodashi to Bhai dooj. A petition has been filed in the High Court seeking permission to keep 102 Jain temples open in the city on the eve of Diwali.

The petition of Jain Temple Trust was heard before a bench of Justices SJ Kathawala and Abhay Ahuja on Tuesday. Among the Jains, the five days of Diwali are considered extremely auspicious and important. Therefore, permission should be given to open Jain temples open this day, said Prakash Shah, counsel for the petitioners.

Citing earlier High and Supreme Court orders, the Jain community was allowed to celebrate their religious festivals in public and to keep three temples open during the Corona period. Devotees can enter the temple only by following the rules of lockdown and keeping the social distance in mind. Therefore, the state government should be allowed to keep 102 temples open in the city, the petitioners demanded. The state government allowed the opening of bars, restaurants and theaters. Petitioners’ lawyers also argued that it would be unjust not to allow temples to be opened.

Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbakoni objected to this on behalf of the state government. It is untrue that Diwali is important and auspicious only for the Jain community. Therefore, petitioners cannot seek relief only for their community. This is not a public interest litigation, argued Kumbakoni.