The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition that sought nationwide regulations to ensure the distribution of safe and high-quality prasad (religious offerings of food or water dedicated to deities) at temples.
A Division Bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan noted that the petitioner could explore remedies under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to address concerns regarding the quality of prasad.
"There are provisions under the (Food Safety) Act. You invoke them to take action," the Court said while refusing to entertain the PIL.
The Court emphasized the importance of allowing the Executive branch to address such matters within its domain, rather than the judiciary intervening in areas outside its purview. In this context, the Bench referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statement highlighting his efforts to operate within the constitutional framework.
"On November 26, our Prime Minister said that Executive is performing duties within the limits. I think that's all what we should say," Justice Gavai orally observed.
Senior Advocate Dama S Naidu, representing the petitioner, clarified before the Bench that the plea solely aimed to ensure public health by addressing the potential risks posed by unchecked prasad distribution at temples.
"This is not a motivated PIL. Temples are not at fault, but there has to be some regulations to govern this," Naidu said.
The Court noted that provisions to address such concerns already exist under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
"But they say that there are just guidelines and cannot be enforced. We are just asking that there has to be some pan India regulations," Naidu replied.
He further cited several newspaper reports to support his argument, urging the Court to direct the States and the Central government to monitor the quality standards of prasad.
"People are getting affected as this is going unchecked ... FSSAI have issued guidelines, but no enforcing power ... This is a pan India issue. Prasad distributed is going unchecked," he pointed out.
However, the Court remained unconvinced and directed the petitioner to pursue alternative remedies.
In a related matter, the Supreme Court recently ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of animal fat being used in the preparation of laddus at the Hindu shrine in Andhra Pradesh dedicated to Lord Venkateswara.
The petitioners in that case included former Member of Parliament Dr. Subramanian Swamy, YSR Congress Party leader and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam chairperson YV Subba Reddy, historian Vikram Sampath, Vedic speaker Dushyanth Sridhar, and Sudarshan News anchor Suresh Chavhanke.
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