Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has observed that India is a secular country, but this does not mean that Dharmic and cultural activities cannot be entertained. The court made this observation while setting aside a city corporation's order that denied permission to the Malleshwaram Brahmana Sabha for holding Shankaracharya Jayanti at one of its auditoriums.
Background of the Case
The Bengaluru West City Corporation had stated that the Yoga Auditorium in Sankey Tank Park cannot be used for Dharmic activities, as it was meant for yoga and related events. However, the petitioner argued that the government had permitted several activities in the auditorium in the past, and there were no strong grounds to reject its request.
Court's Observation
Justice MI Arun, while hearing the case, stated that Shankaracharya Jayanti is not only a Dharmic activity but also a cultural one. The judge emphasized that "what is not prohibited is permitted." The court noted that the corporation had not been able to produce any guidelines or regulations stipulating the purposes for which the auditorium can be utilized.
Furthermore, the court pointed out that the Constitution of India itself contains pictures from a Gurukul, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Gautama Buddha, and the like. Therefore, the celebration of Indian culture, which is intertwined with Dharma, can never be considered illegal or unconstitutional.
Implications of the Ruling
This ruling reinforces the idea that secularism in India does not mean the exclusion of religious or cultural expressions. The court's decision allows for the continuation of traditional and cultural events in public spaces, as long as they are not prohibited by law. The judgment also highlights the importance of clear guidelines for the use of public facilities, ensuring that decisions are not arbitrary.
The Malleshwaram Brahmana Sabha can now proceed with organizing the Shankaracharya Jayanti at the Yoga Auditorium, setting a precedent for similar cases in the future.
