Citizens right to practice religion is subservient to their right to life under Article 21: Madras High Court

Madras High Court on Friday while dismissing the PIL filed for the reopening of the temples in Tamil Nadu held that citizens right to practice religion is subservient to their right to life under Article 21 and when right to life is in danger, the right to practice religion can take a backseat .The Court stated that the Tamil Nadu government must have taken into account various factors and experts advice before deciding to close down the temples during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and it can be said it was within its right to impose reasonable restrictions.

It stated that baby steps have to be taken (to return to normalcy) and it is better to err on side of caution than to open everything and be caught unaware as the country was when the second surge descended on us.

Additionally, the court stated that the courts have no jurisdiction to interfere in the matter which is in the exclusive domain of the state to make laws. It added that there does not appear to be any arbitrary action on the part of the State for the Court to interfere in the matter.