The Delhi High Court on Friday disposed of the plea challenging the orders of the Delhi Government imposing a complete ban on religious gatherings during Christmas and New Year at places of worship.
The bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh appealed to the people to avoid large congregations and show restraint in the light of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.
The court disposed of the plea against Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) ban on Christmas and New Year-related gatherings and congregations in the capital.
The court said that churches, temples, mosques etc are open for visitors or devotees to offer prayers and celebrations subject to strict compliance of standard operating procedures.
Quoting the violation of Article 14 of the Constitution as well as the right to freedom of religion that the authority has completely barred religious gatherings, the petition read that the authorities have permitted bars, restaurants, and auditoriums to function with 50% capacity and theaters with 100% capacity but barred religious gatherings.
The petitioner alleged the selective exclusion of religious places of worship as a violation of constitutional rights and argued that all ardent devotees of Christianity who have been undergoing Lent for last 25 days have been prohibited in Delhi from attending chapel masses on the eve of Christmas but the citizens are allowed to have gala dinners and commercial activities and shopping etc in Christmas.
In its order on Thursday, the DDMA has asked the District Magistrates and DCPs to ensure that no cultural events, gatherings, congregations take place for celebrating Christmas or New Year in the NCT of Delhi.