No one has the right to pollute a waterbody even in the name of religion, says HC
The Madras High Court has ruled that religious rituals cannot justify the pollution of the Thamirabarani river. The court emphasized that environmental protection is a fundamental duty and that public health takes precedence over religious practices.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing legal tension between cultural/religious traditions and environmental conservation in India.
No one has the right to pollute a waterbody even in the name of religion, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court said while taking a serious view of the pollution of Thamirabarani river in the guise of performing rituals for the departed.
A Division Bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi said the court proposes to direct the authorities to ensure that there was no further pollution of Thamirabarani river in the guise of performing rituals for the departed. However, it was conscious that the issue concerns the beliefs and sentiments of millions of Hindus.
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