‘Faith Must Be Respected’: Delhi HC Orders Seat for Jain Deity

While holding that matters of faith cannot be scorned, the Delhi High Court has directed the Jain Sabha Dharmarth Trust to reserve a seat for the idol of Devi Padmavati in the Jain temple.

A bench led by Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani was hearing a case in which a follower of Devi Padmavati filed a suit against the Jain Sabha Dharmarth Trust, seeking the restoration of the idol that was temporarily moved to another room in the same temple due to renovation.

Due to the temple’s renovation, all idols were initially shifted to a temporary room. After the renovation was completed, the other idols were restored to their original positions. However, Devi Padmavati's idol was not. Instead, the seat originally meant for her idol was reportedly planned to be given to another Tirthankara's idol.

When the matter came before the trial court, it dismissed the suit, saying that God is omnipresent and can be worshipped anywhere.

"I do not see any substance in the case of the Plaintiff at all and rather see that the present suit has been filed as a luxurious litigation to settle his some personal scores. If he is the true follower of his faith, he should act with the Defendant Trust for the betterment of Society. Keeping the Plaintiff idol here or there is of no importance when God is present everywhere," the trial court stated.

While terming the view taken by the trial court as flippant, the High Court reiterated that although there is no objection to the fact that God is omnipresent, the trial court dismissed the petition without appreciating the cause of action in the suit.

"Regardless of what fate of the suit may be subsequently, there was no basis to having summarily thrown-out the suit, especially when an application filed by the respondent under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC also stood dismissed as withdrawn," the court added.

Having held the above, the court went on to ask the respondent Trust to ensure that one seat is kept vacant for Devi Padmavati’s idol.

It also directed that the idol shall continue to remain in the temporary room, and all requisite rituals must be performed until the next hearing.

The matter will now be heard on August 28.

Case Title: Devi Padmavati through its follower Sh. Ajay Jain v. Jain Sabha Dharmarth Trust