The Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected a PIL aiming to mandate Karwa Chauth celebrations for all women, irrespective of their marital status, and to impose penalties for non-compliance. The court ruled that legislative issues were beyond its scope and imposed a Rs 1,000 cost on the petitioner, who later withdrew the plea.
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a law to make it mandatory for all women, regardless of their marital status, to celebrate Karwa Chauth. The petition also sought to penalize those who failed to observe the festival.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel refused to entertain the petition, citing that the subject falls under the exclusive purview of the legislature. The Court also imposed a token cost of Rs 1,000 on the petitioner, directing it to be deposited in the Poor Patient Welfare Fund, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
“The said subject falls within the exclusive domain of the legislature and this Court, therefore, declines interference in the present matter,”
the Bench stated in its order dated January 22, 2025.
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The PIL was filed by Narender Kumar Malhotra, who argued that some women, especially widows, are not allowed to participate in the Karwa Chauth festival. The petitioner sought to mandate that all women, irrespective of their marital status, celebrate the festival, which traditionally involves Hindu married women fasting from sunrise to moonrise for the health and longevity of their husbands.
According to the petition, widows, divorcees, women in live-in relationships, and legally separated women should also be included in the celebrations. The petitioner proposed a law that would not only make participation compulsory but also punish those who deny or refuse to observe the festival.
He further suggested rebranding the festival as a universal celebration for women under names like “Maa Gaura Utsav” or “Maa Parvati Utsav.”
The High Court expressed its unwillingness to entertain the plea, emphasizing that such matters are beyond the scope of judicial intervention. After this, the petitioner’s counsel sought permission to withdraw the petition. The Court allowed the withdrawal but imposed a cost of Rs 1,000 as a token penalty.
The petitioner, Narender Kumar Malhotra, appeared in person and was also represented by advocate Satish Chaudhary. The Union of India was represented by Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain and advocate Neha Sharma.
Case Title – Narender Kumar Malhotra v. Union of India and ors
Read the Judgement here:
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