SC Dismisses PIL Against Burning Of Ravan Effigies During Dussehra

Observing that under Article 25 of Constitution, any person can choose his or her own religion, the Supreme Court has said it could not pass any direction to stop the burning of Ravan effigies during Dussehra festival.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice JS Kehar dismissed a PIL seeking direction to the Centre and state governments to ban burning of Ravan effigies during Dussehra festival.

Petitioner, Anand Prakash Sharma, a UP-based journalist and social activist who argued in Hindi, said every year, a huge amount of money is spent on the burning of effigies, which is waste of money.

In his petition, Sharma said burning of Ravan effigy has not been mentioned anywhere in the religion or in any mythological book.

He said this practice should be stopped and the money be used for public welfare purposes.

"This illegal practice hurts sentiments of some section of people and is also hazardous to the environment and health of public at large," the PIL stated.

The practice is not supported by Tulsi Ramayan or Valmiki Ramayan.

Sharma also mentioned that some sections believe Ravan to be great scholar.