SC DISMISSES PETITION FOR OVERSIGHT OF RELIGIOUS PROCESSIONS

New Delhi, Dec. 9: The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL filed by Citizens for Justice and Peace, led by Teesta Setalvad, on Friday after observing that "don't portray as if all religious processions are a source of riots," which called for strict regulation of religious "Shobhayatras" across the nation where people brandish weapons.

The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr. Dhananjaya YeshwantChadrachud, declined to hear the petition, saying, "What is this PIL about? We are sorry. We are not going to entertain this one. Don't portray as if all religious processions are a source of riots. It is wrong to have such saying."

Take the Maharashtra Ganesha festivities, when people participated in processions but no unfortunate incidence occurred, the CJI Chandrachud added.

In a PIL submitted before the Supreme Court, social activist Teesta Setalvad's Citizens for Justice and Peace said that riots had grown frequent during such "shobhayatras" held in conjunction with religious holidays. Therefore, the Supreme Court should impose severe regulations on all national religious "Shobhayatras."

In addition, the Apex Court rejected the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) brought by Citizens for Justice and Peace, stating that maintaining peace and order is the responsibility of the State police and is a matter of state concern. The district administration grants authorization after assessing the nature of the current situation and condition. Interfering with the State's operations would not be appropriate.

According to the Supreme Court, many individuals use instances when riots have really occurred as precedent, leading them to believe that unfavourable incidents may occur at any time during a parade. But to suggest that is incorrect.