In light of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony Today(January 22,2024), several government and private organizations have announced full or half-day holidays. The ceremony, which will be presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to be attended by over 8,000 guests.
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BHARAT: The inauguration of the Ram Mandir, a significant event in India’s cultural and religious landscape, has led to a unique intersection of legal and cultural spheres. Scheduled for Today (January 22), this event has prompted various judicial bodies and bar associations across India to adjust their schedules and protocols in recognition of its importance.
The Supreme Court’s landmark 2019 verdict, delivered by a three-judge bench, played a pivotal role in facilitating the construction of the Ram Mandir at the disputed site in Ayodhya, recognizing the title of the land in favor of Bhagwan Sri Ram. This decision has since resonated through various facets of Indian society, culminating in the upcoming inauguration ceremony.
In anticipation of this event, the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and several tribunals have declared a public holiday or a half-day Today (January 22). This move aligns with the sentiment expressed in a notification by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, which announced a half-day closure till 2:30 PM for all Central Government Offices, Central Institutions, and Central Industrial Establishments across India.
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) have also adjusted their schedules, with the NCLT closing its 15 benches for half a day and the NCDRC administrative side remaining closed until 2:30 PM. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and the National Green Tribunal have followed suit, declaring similar closures.
Bar Councils and Bar Associations have been proactive in addressing the potential impact of the ceremony on legal proceedings. The Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association and the High Court Bar Association Allahabad decided to abstain from judicial work Today (January 22). The Chairman of the Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra, appealed to the Chief Justice of India for a court holiday, a sentiment echoed by Adish C. Agarwala, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
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Four students from prominent law universities in Maharashtra and Gujarat approached the Bombay High Court, challenging the Maharashtra government’s decision to declare a public holiday on January 22. Their petition, seeking a special bench hearing on a Sunday, was dismissed by Justices GS Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale, who labeled it as publicity-oriented and emphasized that holiday declarations fall within the realm of government policy.
“Publicity interest litigation not Public nterest litigation. We intend to caution the petitioners to be more careful when they take upon themselves to espouse such cause. For these reasons there is no doubt that this PIL is abuse of process of law and we intend to dismiss with exemplary costs. We refrain ourselves from imposing costs and hope the petitioners will be more careful when appearing in person,”
-the bench said while dismissing the plea.
The Bar Council of India’s Chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, requested the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, to declare a holiday for all courts nationwide on January 22, highlighting the event as a harmonious blend of legal processes with the nation’s cultural ethos. This request was mirrored by the Secretary General of the Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association, Hardik Brahmbhatt, and the New Delhi Bar Association, both advocating for no adverse orders against lawyers and litigants unable to appear in court on the day of the ceremony.
The BCI Chairman asserted that a holiday on January 22 would demonstrate a-
“harmonious blend of legal processes with the cultural ethos of the nation.”
Lastly, The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association also requested various legal forums to consider the absence of lawyers on January 22 and refrain from passing adverse orders. These collective actions by judicial bodies and legal associations underscore the profound impact of the Ram Mandir inauguration on the legal landscape, reflecting a unique confluence of law, culture, and religious sentiment in India.
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