The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a PIL seeking to allow all women, regardless of marital or social status, to celebrate Karwa Chauth. The court ruled that the matter is legislative, not judicial. The plea also requested legal measures to ensure inclusivity in the festival. Meanwhile, a 2023 Delhi High Court judgment emphasized Karwa Chauth as “an individual choice.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Narender Kumar Malhotra. The petitioner wanted the court to allow women of all marital and social statuses, including widows, separated women, divorcees, and those in live-in relationships, to celebrate the ‘Karwa Chauth’ festival.
The bench, consisting of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, stated,
“The said subject falls within the exclusive domain of the legislature and this Court, therefore, declines interference in the present matter.”
In addition to this request, the PIL sought official recognition of the ‘Karwa Chauth’ festival. It proposed that the festival should be declared as a celebration of good fortune for women or alternatively renamed as ‘Maa Gaura Utsav’ or ‘Maa Parvati Utsav.’
The petitioner also asked the court to direct the Government of India and the Haryana state government to take steps, including changes to existing laws, to ensure that women from all social and marital backgrounds could participate in the evening Puja of ‘Karwa Chauth’ freely.
The PIL further demanded that any act of discrimination or refusal by any group to allow such participation should be considered punishable, declared invalid, and subject to legal action.
ALSO READ: Punjab and Haryana High Court Takes Firm Action Against Judicial Misconduct
In 2023, the Delhi High Court had addressed a related issue, declaring that the observance of Karwa Chauth is “an individual choice” in a case involving cruelty.
The Delhi High Court remarked,
“Fasting or not fasting on Karwa Chauth may be an individual choice.”
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Punjab And Haryana High Court
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
