Chandigarh, February 25:
In response to a petition concerning the Prachin Shiv Mandir in Chandigarh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that the temple’s main gates be temporarily unsealed for Maha Shivratri celebrations on February 26 and a community feast (Langar Sewa) on March 2. The court has mandated that the gates be sealed again after March 2.
To manage the large influx of devotees, the court directed that security arrangements be overseen by military police. The ruling was issued by a division bench comprising Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Vikas Suri while hearing the case, which was filed on behalf of the temple’s deity, Lord Shiva, through advocates Dinesh Kumar Malhotra and Saksham Malhotra.
The petitioners argued that keeping the gates sealed during the festivities could lead to safety concerns, including the risk of a stampede. The Chandigarh administration, however, informed the court that the temple premises had been taken over under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, following an eviction order.
The court refrained from commenting on the legitimacy of the eviction order or the authority of the temple’s management but emphasized that its decision was solely aimed at ensuring the safety of worshippers during the upcoming religious events.
The ongoing sealing of the Prachin Shiv Mandir has been a point of contention, with both devotees and temple authorities challenging the move. While this ruling grants temporary relief for worshippers during Maha Shivratri, the legal dispute over the temple’s status remains unresolved.
The Chandigarh administration asserts that the eviction order is legally sound, while the petitioners argue that restricting access to the temple infringes upon religious rights.
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