The Bar Association wrote to the Principal District & Sessions Judge at Patiala House Court asking for a reprieve on the day of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony (22.01.2024).
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NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Bar Association has made a significant request to the judiciary in light of the upcoming “Praan Pratishtha” ceremony of Bhagwan Shri Ram in Ayodhya. The Association, through its Honorary Secretary ON Sharma, has addressed a letter to the Principal District & Sessions Judge of the Patiala House Court, highlighting the potential impact of this religious event on court proceedings.
The letter states,
“With due respect, we wish to state that due to ‘Praan Pratishtha of Bhagwan Shri Ram in Ayodhya’ the advocates may not be able to appear in the court on 22nd of January, 2024. Hence, it is requested that all the judicial officers may kindly be appropriately requested so that no adverse order passed on 22nd of January, 2024 for non-appearance of the advocates or the litigants.”
This request comes in anticipation of the possibility that many advocates and litigants might be unable to attend court proceedings on January 22, 2024, due to their participation in or observance of the significant religious event. The “Praan Pratishtha” ceremony, marking a pivotal moment in the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya, is expected to draw the attention and participation of a large number of people, including members of the legal fraternity.
The New Delhi Bar Association’s letter is a proactive measure to ensure that those who are unable to appear in court on this particular day do not face any adverse legal consequences due to their absence. The Association’s request reflects the intertwining of religious events and daily life in India, and the need for accommodating such events in the legal and professional spheres.
This move by the New Delhi Bar Association underscores the significance of the Ram Mandir inauguration in the cultural and religious landscape of India, and its impact on various aspects of societal functioning, including the legal system. The response of the judiciary to this request will be a testament to the balancing of religious observance and legal obligations in the country.
The “Praan Pratishtha” ceremony is a significant Hindu ritual, particularly in the context of temple consecration and the installation of deities. In the case of Bhagwan Shri Ram in Ayodhya, this ceremony holds immense religious and cultural importance.
Understanding “Praan Pratishtha”:
- Meaning and Significance: “Praan Pratishtha” literally translates to ‘establishing the life force’. It is a ritual where life (praan) is symbolically infused into a deity’s idol. This ceremony is considered vital in Hinduism for consecrating temples and idols, transforming them from mere stone or metal into a living embodiment of the divine.
- Ritual Process: The ceremony involves elaborate rituals performed by priests and typically includes Vedic chants, offerings, and a series of purificatory rites. The process sanctifies the idol, making it worthy of worship and capable of receiving the devotees’ prayers and offerings.
Bhagwan Shri Ram’s Praan Pratishtha in Ayodhya:
- Cultural and Religious Context: Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, is a city of immense religious significance in Hinduism. The Praan Pratishtha of Bhagwan Shri Ram in Ayodhya is not just a religious event but a moment of great cultural and historical importance for many Hindus.
- Connection to Ram Mandir: This ceremony is particularly significant in the context of the newly constructed Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. After a prolonged and contentious legal battle over the disputed site, the Supreme Court of India in 2019 ruled in favor of constructing a Hindu temple. The Praan Pratishtha marks a key milestone in this temple’s establishment, symbolizing the presence of Lord Ram.
- National and Social Impact: The event is expected to attract a large number of devotees and has implications beyond religion. It resonates with cultural identity, historical narratives, and national sentiments, especially among those who have been closely following the Ram Mandir issue.
- Logistical and Administrative Preparations: Given the expected influx of devotees and the ceremony’s significance, substantial preparations in terms of security, crowd management, and facilities are likely to be undertaken in Ayodhya.
The Praan Pratishtha ceremony of Bhagwan Shri Ram in Ayodhya is a momentous event, marking a new chapter in the religious and cultural fabric of India. It symbolizes not only religious devotion but also the culmination of a long-standing aspiration of many Hindus across the nation and the world.