Read Time: 03 minutes
The petition sought directions against ‘Govt. of India and the State of Haryana… to take suitable measures… to ensure participation of all the sections and classes of women in the Karwa Chauth Puja…and the denial or refusal by any group of persons to such participation must be declared punishable’.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, recently, dismissed a public interest litigation filed by one Narender Kumar Malhotra seeking a declaration permitting the celebration of the ‘Karwa Chauth’ festival by women, irrespective of their marital or social status, including widows, separated women, divorcees, and those in live-in relationships.
The bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, however, opined that “The said subject falls within the exclusive domain of the legislature and this Court, therefore, declines interference in the present matter”.
The PIL also sought additional reliefs including a proclamation recognizing the ‘Karwa Chauth’ festival as a celebration of good fortune for women or alternatively as ‘Maa Gaura Utsav’ or ‘Maa Parvati Utsav’.
The petitioner, furthermore, sought a directive to the Government of India and the State of Haryana to implement appropriate measures, including amendments to relevant laws, ensuring the participation of women from all sections and classes in the ‘Karwa Chauth’ Puja observed in the evening of the festival day.
It was further requested that any act of denial or refusal by any group to such participation be deemed punishable and such actions be declared invalid and subject to legal consequences.
In 2023, the Delhi High Court declared Karva Chauth as ‘an individual choice’ in a cruelty case. The court opined that “Fasting or not fasting on Karwa Chauth may be an individual choice”.
Case Title: Narender Kumar Malhotra v Union of India (2025:PHHC:009194-DB)
Please Login or Register
