Breaking: Gopal Subramanium appointed Amicus in plea highlighting mismanagement of Jagannath temple

The Supreme Court today issued a slew of directions in a petition highlighting the issues faced by visitors of the Jagannath Temple at Puri, Odisha, stating that that proper management of pilgrimage centres of great importance is a matter of public interest..The Court also appointed Senior Advocate Gopal Subramanium as Amicus Curiae in the matter and issued notice returnable on July 5. ASG Vikramjit Banerjee appeared for the Central government..The petition filed by Mrinalini Padhi, a lawyer practicing in Orissa High Court, points out the difficulties faced by the visitors of the Jagannath Temple and their harassment and exploitation by the Sevaks (attendants) of the temple. The lack of hygiene plaguing the temple surroundings was another issue brought to the Court’s notice. Advocate Shubhranshu Padhi appeared for the petitioner..The vacation Bench of Justices AK Goel and Ashok Bhushan stated that the petition did indeed involve issues of public interest. The order states,.“There is no doubt that proper management of pilgrimage centres of great importance is a matter of public interest. These centres are of undoubted religious, social historical and architectural importance, representing cultural heritage of our country. Millions of people visit these centres not only for tourism but also for seeking inspiration for the righteous values and for their well being. They also make huge offerings and donations for advancement of such values.”.The Bench also highlighted the fact that the Supreme Court had, in the case of Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri Management Committee v. Chintamani Khuntia in 1997, upheld the validity of the Shri Jagannath Temple (Administration) Act 1952. Inter alia, the Court had held that the right to manage the temple is secular in nature and does not affect right of Sevaks. It was also held in that judgment that Sevaks of the temple do not have any right to share the offerings of the devotees visiting the temple..In this light, the Bench today proceeded to issue a slew of directions to the State and Central governments, the District Judge at Puri, as well as the temple administration..The District Judge was directed to submit a report on the difficulties faced by the visitors, the exploitative practices, deficiencies in the management, and was called upon to offer suggestions..The Administrator of the temple was directed to ensure that the Sevaks do not directly collect the offerings, which are required to be deposited and accounted for. In order to ensure this, the use of CCTV footage was suggested. It was also directed that more CCTV cameras be installed in the temple premises and that the existing ones be reviewed..The State of Orissa was directed to constitute a Committee tasked with studying how other important shrines in the country are managed, and to suggest changes to the management of the Jagannath Temple accordingly..In a similar vein, the Centre was directed to constitute a Committee to collect information with regard to such other shrines so that the management practices therein can be reviewed for the benefit of all visitors, wherever necessary. The Court went on to note,.“It is of prime importance that all the visitors have hassle free visits and the offerings made are utilized for righteous objects and not misappropriated in any manner by the staff/Sevaks. Of course, the staff/Sevkas ought to be duly compensated by the legitimate remuneration as may be determined by the concerned authority. The issue of hygiene and encroachment also need be considered. Exploitative practices have to be timely stopped.”.Gopal Subramanium was asked by the Court to collate these reports and offer suggestions on the topic. The matter will now be taken up on July 5..Subramanium is also the Amicus in another prominent case in Supreme Court pertaining to temple – the Padmanabhaswamy temple treasure case..Read the order: