Court reserves order on plea against puja on premises

GANDHINAGAR - The Gujarat High Court Thursday reserved its order on a petition challenging performance of Hindu rituals and puja during a groundbreaking ceremony held on the court premises last year.

A bench comprising Justice Jayant Patel and Justice J.C. Upadhayay reserved the order after hearing petitioner Rajesh Solankis advocate Girish Patel.

Solanki in his petition challenged the groundbreaking ceremony held in the high court premises during the golden jubilee function held in May 2010.

He said Governor Kamla Beniwal, Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and other judges of the court were present at the ceremony where prayers were performed as per Hindu rituals.

The petitioner also filed a photograph of the governor and the chief justice taking part in the ritual in the presence of a Hindu priest.

Solanki said in his petition that the state, as defined under constitution, was required to restrain itself from being associated with any religious faith. “The pooja (Hindu prayer held in court premises) makes out that the state is associated with Hinduism and recognised it as state religion,” the petition said.