October 7, 2016: Islamabad High Court Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani has issued a notice to the federal government, as a petitioner accused that the authorities of Hindu Temple in Islamabad's Said Puri Village have put no restrictions on visitors to remove their shoes while proceeding into the temple.
Petitioner Adil Gill said he is a Hindu by religion and seeing people enter the temple without removing their shoes hurt his and also the feelings of the Hindu minority. He also said, according to the Constitution of Pakistan every citizen enjoys equal rights of religion and sect.
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According to the christiansinpakistan.com, Adil Gill wanted to draw the attention of authorities towards the disgrace by visitors of a Hindu temple at Said Puri Village of Islamabad. Being a sacred place for the Hindu community, entering the temple with shoes on is a humiliation to the community.
The temple is located inside a Haveli, which is now converted into a Picture Gallery by CDA. As visitor get in to have a look at the gallery they also go into the temple with shoes on take pictures, make noise. This whole scene takes away the sanctity of the temple as well as the religious feelings of the petitioner and the Hindu community.
Gill says that the temple is as sacred for the Hindus, as the Mosque is for the Muslims and the Church is for the Christians. Gill had filed applications dates May 15, 2016, but there was no response from the authorities.
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Issuing notice, IHC bench adjourned the matter until October 25, this year. Petitioner Adil Gill, through his counsel Yasir Mehmood Chaudhry advocate has cited Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) through its secretary, Capital Development Authority (CDA) through its chairman, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) through its Chief Commissioner and Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) through its mayor as respondents.
Article 20 of the Pakistani Constitution is about freedom to profess religion and to make religious institutions subject to law, public order and morality. Article 36 is about protection of minorities. Under these, the State shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interest of minorities including their due representation in the Federal and Provincial Services.
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The petitioner said that the authorities are under the obligation to act in accordance to Article 4 of the Constitution. The petitioner has prayed to the court to order the respondents to appear before the court and explain why this practice of disgracing the Hindu temple has continued since long, mentioned the news portal.
The court may impose a ban on the entry of visitors into the temple while wearing shoes, making noise inside and taking pictures inside.
-Prepared by Enakshi Roy Chowdhury of Newsgram. Twitter:@enakshirc58