SC rejects plea raising concerns over quality of ‘Prasad’ in temples

Last update:November 29, 2024, 3:18 p.m. IST

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to consider a plea seeking to regulate the quality of ‘prasad’ or food offerings distributed at temples.

SC observed that concerns fall within state jurisdiction | Representative image

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to consider a plea seeking to regulate the quality of ‘prasad’ or food offerings distributed at temples, holding that its prayers fell within the domain of the state.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan told the petitioner’s counsel that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said on November 26 that the executive was discharging its duties within its limits.

“We are not inclined to entertain the present petition as the prayers made in the petition fall within the political domain of the State,” the bench noted, “if the petitioner so desires, he can approach the authorities competent.” authority which would be considered in accordance with the law.

The petitioner’s lawyer claimed that the PIL did not seek publicity by referring to reports of people falling ill after consuming food offerings or ‘prasad’ at various temples.

“Why limit it only to prasadam? Drop it for food in hotels, food items we buy at the grocery store (stores). There may also be falsification,” the bench noted.

The petitioner’s lawyer said the temples were not at fault because they did not have the means to check the quality of the supplies.

He said although the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had powers, its guidelines lacked teeth and the plea was only for them to be regulated.

The bench, however, observed that if there were individual cases relating to a temple, the person concerned could approach the concerned higher court.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)