The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a direction that Indians should follow and have Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra as ‘Paramaatma’ and also fined him Rs 1 lakh.
“In India everyone has the full right to follow their religion. You (Upendra Nath Dalai) can’t say everyone has to follow only one religion,” a Bench led by Justice M R Shah and also comprising Justice C T Ravikumar observed and dismissed the petition with the fine.
The petitioner sought a direction to have Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra as ‘Paramatma’.
The apex court termed the plea as a “publicity interest litigation” and told him: “If you want, you can consider him as Paramatma. Why enforce it on others?”
“The petition is thoroughly misconceived which deserves to be dismissed with exemplary costs of Rs 1 lakh to be deposited with this court’s Registry within four weeks from today,” the court said.
Now people will think at least four times before filing such PILs, Justice Shah observed.
The petitioner had made the BJP, RSS, VHP, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, National Christian Council, Sri Palanpuri Sthanakvasi Jain Association, Buddhist Society of India, Puri Jagannath Mandir Management Committee, All India Iskon committee, Ramakrishna Math, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib as parties in the case.
