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A plea has been moved before Allahabad High court challenging the ‘Sugam Darshan’ system launched in 2018, which which allows any person to become a 'VIP' (Very Important Person) on payment of some amount for the purposes of 'darshan' in the Shri Kashivishwanath Temple in Banaras, Uttar Pradesh. The plea avers that, "this ‘queue-less’, ‘hassle-free’ Darshan system is infact nothing but a way of collecting money."

The petitioner, namely Gajendra Singh Yadav, a D.Phil (Law) student at Allahabad University has alleged that this ‘Sugam Darshan’ system is not for Divyangs or for disabled persons. He contends that if the Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple trust/board was willing to provide convenience for physically disabled persons, then there would have been no requirement of payment for availing the service.

He argues that this service should be free for disabled persons as similar facilities are being provided to disabled persons/ divyangs in every government or public buildings, offices and institutions etc.

The plea highlights that on official website portal of Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple trust it shows that 'Sugam Darshan' costs Rs. 300.00, Rudrabhishek 'Arti' costs Rs. 450-57100, Bhog costs Rs. Rs. 180-700, Rs. 3000, Shringari costs Rs. 5000 and Lakhbilwarchana costs Rs. 8660.

The petitioner contends that while the system of various kinds of darshans is prevalent in Kashi Vishwanath Temple for many years, he is drawing the court's attention towards the new system of Darshan which allows any person to become a 'VIP' (Very Important Person) on payment of some amount and discriminates between similarly situated people with not so much money.

Therefore, the petitioner avers that according to the temple website, if this ‘Sugam Darshan’ system has infact been created for easement and convenience for the pilgrims who come for Darshan, then even on this basis creating an option of ‘Pay Darshan’ cannot be allowed.

The petitioner has also questioned the barricading around the 'Shiv Linga' in the temple for a majority of the time. He avers that barricading gets opened occasionally but for a short period of time only and for most of the time it is kept intact.

The petitioner alleges that because of this barricading, devotees are forced to pour water (jal), milk (doodh) and other offerings only from above the Shiv Linga without touching it. He also alleges that only a few people are allowed for 'Sparsh Darshan'.

The petitioner avers that in worship or offering of 'Lord Shiv' 'Sparsh Darshan' is believed to be have great importance and also classifies as 'Right to Religion' under Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.

The petitioner also complains of humiliation faced by the devotees. He alleges that those persons who are there for the management of temple, push out the devotees shortly after entering into the 'Garbha Griha' (Sanctum Santorum).

The petitioners have also sought to draw the court's attention towards the prevalent system wherein no milk or sweets are allowed from outside of temple due to security reasons, and points out that shops which are inside the boundaries of the temple sell milk and sweets at substantially higher prices such as milk worth Rs. 28 for Rs. 50-60 and sweets at Rs. 400 per kg instead of the outside rate of Rs. 280 per kg.

Alleging that special treatment is given to known persons or relatives of persons who are part of the above Trust or Temple by way of allowing for 'darshan' out of turn to them, the petitioner contends that this is again discrimination with the other devotees.

Case Title: Gajendra Singh Yadav v. State of UP and Ors.