Petitioner find Rs.20,000 for plea against court
By IANSThursday, February 10, 2011
GANDHINAGAR - The Gujarat High Court Thursday fined a petitioner Rs.20,000 for questioning the secular credentials of its administration, which organised Hindu religious rituals during a ceremony on the court premises last year.
The court also dismissed the public suit alleging violation of the constitution’s secular provisions due to the performance of Hindu rituals and prayers during a groundbreaking ceremony.
Rajesh Solanki had challenged the ceremony held on the high court premises during the golden jubilee celebrations May 1, 2010.
Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal were present at the ceremony.
A division bench comprising Justice Jayant Patel and Justice J.C. Upadhyaya held that the performance of Hindu rituals during the ceremony could not be termed as non-secular.
Justice Patel observed: “Secularism is not anti-God.”
Defining the word “secularism”, the court observed: The true meaning of the word ’secular’ can be termed as based on principles of ‘Vasudeva kutumbakam’.
The court termed the prayer for the proper completion of the construction of building as a noble cause.
The view taken by the petitioner that it was unconstitutional was “pervert”, the court said, questioning the bona fide of the petitioner.
