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The High Court of Madras in its recent judgment in V. Anbazhagan V. The Comissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department has dismissed a petition filed before it which prayed to stop performance of Yagna for Rains. The HC bench in the matter observed that “the court cannot destroy such beliefs or hopes of the multitude of people”. The petition was filed against the practices followed by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department who performs "yagnas" for propagating rain in all important temples under its control so that the state may enjoy bountiful rain. The petitioner, a social worker had approached the High Court to challenge such practices on the ground that it is against the tenets of the Constitution of India.
The division bench of HC their judgment made reference to the judgment in Sabarimala case and highlighted the observations of Justice Dipak Misra which states that there are no restraints upon the free exercise of religion. Along with that Justice Indu Malhotra's observations in her dissenting opinion have also been quoted. The HC in present matter observed that "there can be no restraints upon the free exercise of religion and the Court cannot impose its morality or rationality with respect to the form of worship. Notions of rationality cannot be invoked in matters of religion by Courts". The bench further remarked that the present petition is an attempt to disturb the faith in the religious beliefs among the people. It further said that "It is not for this Court to interfere with or criticize upon any method be it religious or scientific adopted with hope to bring about bountiful rainfall in the State”.
The HC bench while dismissing the petition also clarified in its judgment that it offers no opinion as to whether the practice is scientific in nature or purely religious in nature. The court while refusing to put any restrictions on such practices opined that it is the free will of the people to practice any method and upheld the right of people to free exercise of religion in accordance to their belief and faith in their religion.
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