The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition that sought to make it mandatory for women, irrespective of their marital status, to observe Karwa Chauth.

The matter was heard by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel.

The Court imposed a token cost of ₹1,000 on the petitioner, directing the amount to be paid to the Poor Patient Welfare Fund at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

In its ruling on January 22, the Bench explained that the issue raised in the petition falls within the jurisdiction of the legislature, and as such, the Court would not intervene in the matter.

The petitioner's argument centered around the exclusion of certain groups of women, particularly widows, from participating in Karwa Chauth. He urged the Court to pass laws ensuring that women of all marital statuses, including widows, legally separated women, divorcees, and those in live-in relationships, be allowed to observe the festival, which involves fasting from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and well-being of one's husband.

The petitioner suggested that a new law should mandate Karwa Chauth participation for all women and impose penalties for non-compliance. He further proposed renaming the festival to "Maa Gaura Utsav" or "Maa Parvati Utsav" and sought legal recognition of the event as one for the well-being of all women, irrespective of their marital status.

Despite these arguments, the Court expressed its unwillingness to take up the PIL. Following this, the petitioner's counsel opted to withdraw the petition, and the Court granted permission to do so, with the imposed cost of ₹1,000.

The petitioner, Narender Kumar Malhotra, represented himself and was assisted by advocate Satish Chaudhary, while the Union of India was represented by Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain and advocate Neha Sharma.