Summary
In continuing proceedings concerning Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, the Court considered inspection reports and stakeholder responses on management, rituals, servitors, property and pilgrim facilities. It issued operational and reporting directions for disciplined worship, welfare, hygiene, security, infrastructure and accounting, while leaving the content of religious rituals to the appropriate temple stakeholders.
Issues
- What immediate administrative measures were required to protect regular worship and prevent obstruction or misconduct.
- What directions should govern servitor welfare, pilgrim facilities, hygiene and security.
- How temple property, valuables and implementation of reports should be documented and monitored.
Held
- No servitor may obstruct or delay daily rituals or temple opening for personal disputes. The Chief Administrator was authorised for the time being to take appropriate disciplinary steps against obstruction and misconduct, according to its nature. (¶ 42(i))
- The Court did not prescribe the rituals themselves. The Managing Committee should consult the Shankaracharya, Gajapati and other stakeholders and ensure prescribed traditional nitis and puja are performed regularly and punctually. Training should ensure only qualified servitors perform the assigned functions; subletting of seva must be prevented. (¶¶ 42(ii), 42(vii), 42(ix))
- A suitable site must be allotted for a school serving servitors’ children and the public. The Rs 5 crore KIMS costs deposit with interest was directed to be used for its establishment and infrastructure, with plans and progress reported. (¶ 42(iii))
- The remaining property Record of Rights should be prepared as far as possible within six months. Inventories and utilisation and income details for properties inside and outside Odisha, and mine and quarry operations, income and dues, must be supplied. Details of existing inventory and proposed security for valuables must also be placed before the Court. (¶¶ 42(iv), 42(v), 42(xvii))
- The State and temple authorities must coordinate plans for pilgrim shelter, amenities and orderly darshan, taking expert assistance and protecting the aged, infirm and children without disturbing rituals. A full-time Chief Administrator must be deputed forthwith rather than holding additional charge. (¶¶ 42(vi), 42(xv), 42(xxiii))
- Authorities must address servitor remuneration and health welfare while preventing harassment of pilgrims for donations, maintaining proper accounts and establishing effective discipline. Identity cards should prevent impersonation by unauthorised persons. (¶¶ 42(viii), 42(xiii))
- The kitchen and food-preparation spaces must be hygienic, preparation must occur under permanent cover, and ASI must promptly clear the necessary plan. Prasad should be protected from flies, sold hygienically at fixed rates and kept pure. (¶¶ 42(x), 42(xi), 42(xii))
- Dedicated security personnel and strict action were required against harassment of women, ornament snatching and other unlawful conduct within the premises. Authorities should establish suitable waste and effluent treatment, adequate clean toilets, cloakrooms and a motorcycle stand within four months. (¶¶ 42(xvi), 42(xviii), 42(xix), 42(xx), 42(xxi))
- Other report recommendations required consideration by the responsible stakeholders, rather than automatic adoption of every quoted proposal. ASI should cooperate with unobjectionable improvements needed for public health while preserving the ancient structural form. Decisions and an action-taken report were due within eight weeks. (¶¶ 42(xxii), 42)
Result
Directions issued in the continuing writ proceedings. An action-taken report was required within eight weeks, with listing on 8 January 2020. The order did not finally dispose of the petition or automatically adopt every historical recommendation quoted in the reports.