Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Sep 23: A circular issued by the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, P D Dinakaran, has created controversy after two months of its issuance. The issue was being discussed in hushed tones, as the advocates had not got the copy of the circular in question so far. The circular has banned hanging or displaying of the portraits, idols, statues etc., of Gods, or performance of puja or other forms of worship in the court premises. The circular, issued by the High Court's registrar general under instructions of the Chief Justice, has given rise to a heated debate.
The circular stipulates that only the photographs of Mahatma Gandhi and personalities connected with the judiciary can be placed in the respective bar associations. At the same time, it has been made mandatory to obtain prior approval of the Chief Jusice before they can be placed in the courts. The size of these portraits has been pegged at 30x36.
The lawyers however, are not prepared to take the contents of the circular, lying down. Former president of State Bar Council, Y N Sadashiva Reddy, said that the circular is condemnable, as constitutionally, no one has the right to offend the religious sentiments of the people. He pointed out that people of different sections of the state High Court have been following the practice of collectively performing the puja of Goddess Laxmi every Friday since the last so many years. This circular has hurt their sentiments, he noted.
Lawyer H V Pravin Gowda felt that the circular tantamount to the transgression of the freedom of lawyers. The advocates of High Court have been celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi and Rama Navami every year in a grand manner. Even though the said circular had been issued during the Ganesha festival this year, its copy had not been made available. So, Ganesha festival could be celebrated without any problem this time, he added.