'Bhagwat Gita' is 'Dharma Shastra': HC

Allahabad, Sep 10 (UNI) In an important judgement, Allahabad High Court has said 'Bhagwat Gita' is a 'Dharma Shastra' of India and it was a duty of the state to recognise the text as 'Rashtriya Dharma', which inspired our national struggle for freedom and all walks of life.

It is the duty of every Indian citizen under article 51-A of the constitution, irrespective of caste, creed or religion to follow dharma propounded by 'Bhagwad Gita'.

Giving the ruling on a writ petition of S R Mukherjee, Justice S N Srivastava said as India has recognised national flag, national bird, national anthem and national flower, the holy text may also be considered as national 'Dharma Shastra'.

The court passed this order on a writ petition filed by Gopal Thakur Mandir of Varanasi, who had moved the court challenging the sale of properties of the temple.

Allowing the writ petition, the court directed the state government not to permit any alienation of any property attached with the temple and other religious institutions without prior permission of the district judge concerned.

The copy of the order has been sent to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary for necessary action.

The court in its judgement observed that ''anti-social and commercial elements were still continuing attacks on Hindu temples and religious places.'' The court said it was the responsibility of the state to take effective steps to maintain public order by enacting a legislation or executive order to protect all the temples and the rights to profess, practice and propagate Hinduism under article 25 and 26 of the constitution.

The judge also directed to constitute of a board of Hindu temples and other Hindu religious institutions in UP for registration, maintenance, management, protection and preservation of all the temples of all the sections of Hindus.

The court has also directed the UP government to constitute a special force for protection of temples and other religions institutions affected due to communal tension and activities of anti-social elements, within three months.

UNI