– Raheem Khan
Jodhpur, Jan. 22: On the day of Ram Temple’s Pran Pratishtha Mahotsava, the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur intervened in a chaotic situation where authorities and “unscrupulous individuals” had blocked the main highway leading to the court.
While acknowledging the festive spirit, Justice Dinesh Mehta remarked that the true celebration would be upholding the ideals and virtues Lord Ram embodied. Blocking the road connecting the High Court, “the main highway connecting the main city to the High Court, Judicial Academy and Pali and Sirohi etc.,” was deemed an interference in the administration of justice.
The irony was not lost on the court. “It is ironic that while Lord ‘Ram’ had created a bridge to approach Lanka, people have blocked the way resulting in a complete roadblock and impasse,” the order stated.
Taking suo moto cognizance of the situation, the Court issued notices to the Commissioner of Police and District Collector, seeking clarification on the blockage and whether proper authorization was granted. Both officials appeared in court and confirmed that the road had been reopened.
In a strong message, the Court directed the District Collector and Commissioner of Police to ensure that “in future the roads, particularly the road leading towards the High Court, is not blocked in the name of any ‘julus’, ‘dharna’ and religious celebrations.”
While the immediate issue of the roadblock is resolved, the Court directed the registry to register the case as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and list it before the Chief Justice for further directions. This suggests that the Court may consider broader implications of such roadblocks and potential guidelines for future events.
The Rajasthan High Court’s intervention underlines the importance of maintaining public access to essential services, even during religious celebrations. The order serves as a reminder that respecting ideals shouldn’t come at the cost of civic duty and smooth functioning of crucial institutions like the judiciary.
