The Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad bench has permitted the revival of flower and garland offerings at the Shree Saibaba Sansthan in Shirdi, halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision mandates a robust waste disposal plan amid concerns about hygiene and unauthorized vending. The ad hoc committee is tasked with ensuring compliance and efficiency in operations.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad bench has allowed the resumption of flower and garland offerings at the Shree Saibaba Sansthan in Shirdi. The practice, halted for over three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will now resume under strict guidelines [Shri Saibaba Sansthan Shirdi v. State of Maharashtra].
A bench of Justices Mangesh Patil and Shailesh Brahme permitted the offering practice after reviewing applications from the Sansthan’s ad hoc committee and flower vendors. “Permission is granted to the Sansthan/trust for resuming offering of flowers/garlands as resolved by Resolution No.277,” the Court observed, while emphasizing the need for a robust waste disposal plan.
Flower offerings were suspended in 2020 as a pandemic measure and to address cleanliness and waste management concerns. The issue was revisited following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the management of the Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust. The Court had previously directed the Maharashtra government to establish a new managing committee, with an ad hoc team now overseeing temple operations.
The Sansthan proposed purchasing flowers through a credit co-operative society run by temple employees and selling them within the temple premises at reasonable rates. Advocate Anil S Bajaj, representing the Sansthan, highlighted that the temple previously collaborated with a self-help group to process used flowers into incense sticks (agarbatties). A similar system could now be reinstated.
However, the Court expressed reservations about the Sansthan’s disposal strategy.
“If such used flowers and garlands are to be e-auctioned or disposed of by e-tender, one wonders how there could be a stipulation for their use in manufacturing agarbatties,”
the Bench stated, calling for clarity and efficiency in waste management.
Advocate PS Talekar, representing an intervenor, warned that resuming flower offerings might lead to the harassment of devotees and revive unauthorized flower vending activities. Similarly, Government Pleader AB Girase cautioned against exploitation by vendors and potential hygiene issues.
The Court acknowledged these apprehensions but prioritized the resumption of offerings, tasking the ad hoc committee with formulating a comprehensive waste disposal strategy and ensuring that flower vendors operate under strict regulations.
The High Court’s decision seeks to balance tradition and practical concerns. It emphasized the need for transparency and efficiency, directing the committee to address logistical issues swiftly. While the resumption is a welcome move for devotees and flower vendors, its success hinges on implementing sustainable waste management practices.
Advocates Anil Bajaj, PS Talekar, and Government Pleader AB Girase represented various stakeholders in this landmark case.
Read the Order here:
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