Date:22/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/22/stories/2008042259901200.htm

National

Approach government for pilgrim subsidy, says Supreme Court

Legal Correspondent

Grant to Hindu, Jain and Buddhist pilgrims sought on Haj lines

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a public interest litigation petition seeking a direction to the Centre to grant subsidy to pilgrims of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist faiths to visit places of worship in China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal as granted to Muslims for the Haj.

A Bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice R.V. Raveendran dismissed as withdrawn the PIL by advocate Ashok Pandey with liberty to the petitioner to make a representation to the government. Mr. Justice Raveendran told the petitioner: “You prepare a scheme about the number of persons who want to visit these places and give it to the government.”

Mr. Justice Balakrishnan said: “You approach the government. We can’t issue any direction in such matters.” The petitioner then withdrew the petition.

Mr. Pandey submitted that the action of the Government of India was discriminatory on grant of subsidies to the Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs for their religious yatras to other countries. There were so many Sakthi peetas of the Goddess Durga in Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Nepal, Hindus visited the Pasupathinath temple. While the government was providing subsidy of Rs.400 crore for the Haj, no such grant was given to other religious faiths. Contending that the Centre’s action violated Article 15 of the Constitution (prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth), he sought a direction to extend the subsidy for Hindus and other faiths.