The Allahabad High Court has directed the district administration to ensure safety at the Banke Bihari temple in Mathura, assigning responsibility for law and order during the festival. The court has also ordered that live streaming be restricted to within the temple to manage crowd control and prevent overcrowding.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
UTTAR PRADESH: In anticipation of the upcoming Janmashtami festival, the Allahabad High Court has taken significant steps to ensure the safety and well-being of devotees visiting the historic Banke Bihari temple in Mathura. The court has entrusted the district administration with the responsibility of maintaining law and order during the festival, which will be celebrated from August 25 to August 29, 2024.
On Friday( 16th August), the court issued a directive to the state government to limit live streaming to within the temple premises as part of a broader strategy to manage the crowd effectively. This decision was made to prevent overcrowding, which has been a significant concern, particularly after the tragic stampede incident at the temple in August last year.
The court, in coordination with the Civil Judge, Junior Division, Mathura, has approved the installation of CCTV cameras throughout the temple premises. These cameras will be installed via receivers, as per the existing temple system established since 1939. The District Magistrate has been instructed to adhere strictly to the directions provided by the Civil Judge to ensure a smooth and secure celebration of Janmashtami.
The High Court emphasized that –
“Arrangements for the Janmashtami festival will be coordinated by the temple management in conjunction with the government.”
This collaborative approach is intended to create a safer environment for the thousands of devotees expected to attend the festivities.
ALSO READ: Allahabad HC Directs UP Govt to Make Fresh Merit List of 69,000 Teachers Appointment
This ruling came from the bench of Justice Siddharth Verma and Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra while they were hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Anant Sharma and another resident of Mathura. The PIL was submitted following the tragic stampede incident at the temple during last year’s Janmashtami celebrations, which highlighted the urgent need for better crowd management.
The next hearing of the petition is scheduled for August 28, 2024.
Earlier, on December 8, 2023, the court had issued a series of instructions to the state government concerning crowd management during religious festivals at the temple. However, these instructions were not fully implemented, prompting the government to file an application seeking a revision of these guidelines. The court is now taking a firmer stance to ensure that these measures are enforced.
There has been some public opposition to the government’s request for revised instructions. Critics argue that “crowd control cannot be done by a court order” alone and that it requires a more comprehensive, on-ground strategy. Despite this, the government has reassured the court through an affidavit that “proper arrangements will be made on the occasion of Janmashtami.”
The Uttar Pradesh government counsel informed the court that there would be barricading to manage the crowd effectively. Additionally, a regulated number of devotees would be allowed to enter the temple at any given time to avoid congestion. Regarding the live streaming of the festivities, the counsel mentioned that-
“Live streaming will occur both inside and outside the temple, with screens set up at various locations outside.”
However, Advocate Sankalp Goswami raised concerns about the live streaming outside the temple premises, arguing that it could lead to further crowding in the surrounding areas. Responding to this, the court agreed to limit live streaming to inside the temple only, thereby reducing the risk of overcrowding outside the premises.