‘Prasad’ in temples: SC refuses to investigate plea raising food quality concerns | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking regulation on the quality of ‘prasad’ or food offerings distributed at temples, observing that its prayers fell within the domain of the state. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan told counsel for the petitioner that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 26 said that the executive performs its function within its limits.
“We are not inclined to consider the present petition as the prayers contained in the petition are within the domain of the policy of the State,” the bench observed, “if the petitioner so desires, he can apply to the competent authority. authority that would be considered in accordance with the law”.
The counsel for the petitioner claimed that the PIL did not seek publicity while referring to news reports of people falling ill after consuming food offerings or “prasad” at various temples.
“Why should we limit it only to prasadam? Save it for food in hotels, food items that we buy in supermarket (stores). There could also be forgery there,” the bank noted.
Counsel for the petitioner said that there was no blame on the temples as they did not have the resources to check the quality of supplies.
He said though the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had powers, the guidelines had no teeth and the plea was only aimed at regulating the same.
The court, however, noted that if there were individual cases relating to a temple, the person concerned could approach the concerned high court.