New Delhi, 26 September (HS). The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Government to demand the use of the word 'Panth' or 'Sampradaya' instead of 'Religion' as a synonym for religion in government documents such as birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, ration cards, bank accounts, driving licenses. Consider the petition as a report. The bench headed by the Acting Chief Justice directed the Union Ministry of Culture and Education to consider this petition and take a decision expeditiously as per the law.
During the hearing, the court told the petitioner that we are not philosophers. You have misunderstood us. Sometimes you consider us an expert in international banking exchange and sometimes you consider us a philosopher. We are none of these things. We have nothing to do with them. The Central Government has to decide on all these. Earlier on November 8, 2023, the High Court had issued notice to the Central and Delhi governments. The petition also demanded inclusion of a chapter outlining the difference between religion and sect in school textbooks.
This petition was filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay. The petition said that religion and religion should be included in the school curriculum to control hatred and hate speech on religious grounds and to educate the common people about religion. It was said in the petition that the proper meaning of religion should be given, which means sect or sect. Religion does not mean religion as given in birth certificate, Aadhar card, school certificate, driving license, domicile certificate, death certificate and bank accounts etc.
It was said in the petition that religion is not divisive. Religion is the quest to understand the cosmic order of the universe on a personal level. The petition said that religion gives unlimited freedom to choose options and goals. Secularism and tolerance are inherent in religion. It was said in the petition that there is lack of knowledge in sects and sects. There are many things in the sect which are illogical. There have been many wars and war-like situations for religion. In religion people follow a person or his path while on the other hand religion is the result of prudence and intelligence. In such a situation, religion and religion have completely different meanings.