Taking the Suo Moto cognisance of the matter, the court In its judgment on Demolition of houses of stone pelters from Muslim areas, held that stone pelting is an “essential religious practice” in Islam.
During the Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, Muslims participate in a ritual called the Rami al-Jamarat. They hurl stones at 3 pillars (jamarat), believing it to be the abode of Satan.
This was the first question the court answered, and its answer formed the basis for the rest of the judgment. The court asked the state government to immediately restore the bulldozed houses of the stone pelters.
Earlier, Ram Navami celebrations came under attack in five different Indian States, namely, Gujarat, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. Stone pelters threw stones stones on the Hindu processions when it was advancing through the ‘Muslim areas’.
Citing the Clause 1 of Article 25 of Indian Constitution that guarantees every citizen to freely practice and profess his religion, the Court asked the people participating in Hindu Procession to wear helmets and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to protect themselves when Muslims follow their essential religious practice.
The court also asked the Hindu procession to move silently through these areas as “words too can provoke” the judge said.
“Russia attacked Ukraine only after Ukraine played songs at the border that provoked Russia. We must be very conscious of what comes out from our mouth” said the judge while concluding the judgement.
