The Allahabad High Court rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that aimed to modify the statues of King Nishad Raj and Lord Shri Ram at Sringverpur Dham in Soraon, Prayagraj. The plea intended to represent King Nishadraj in a manner more fitting for his royal stature.

Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Donadi Ramesh, presiding over the bench, expressed that the matter raised in the PIL plea falls within the Executive's jurisdiction, stating it cannot be resolved in the ongoing proceedings.

Additionally, the Court highlighted its lack of conviction regarding the violation of any constitutional rights of the petitioner or their community. Despite dismissing the PIL plea, the Court provided the liberty to pursue alternative remedies as deemed appropriate.

In essence, the PIL filed by Sanjay Kumar Nishad contended that the statue does not align with the portrayal of King Nishad Raj as described in Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas.

According to Ramcharitmanas, during Lord Rama's journey with Lakshmana and Sita before their forest exile, they encountered resistance from boatmen unwilling to ferry them across the Ganges. King Nishadraj intervened and offered to transport them if Lord Rama permitted him to wash their feet. Lord Rama agreed, and Nishadraj displayed immense devotion by washing Rama's feet with Ganges water and even drank this sacred water to illustrate his reverence.

The writ plea also argued that the statue's current posture, depicting a hugging position, is not aligned with the petitioner and his community's beliefs. They emphasized the necessity for alterations in the statue to avoid what they perceive as a violation of their constitutional right to worship.

Case title - Sanjay Kumar Nishad vs. State Of U.P. And 3 Others

PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 2805 of 2023