HC junks plea to make Karwa Chauth must for all women

The moon holds sway over tides and hearts alike, but this time it found itself at the centre of a peculiar legal plea. In a petition filed in public interest before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, directions were sought to make Karwa Chauth — a festival celebrating marital longevity — a universal ritual for all women, regardless of marital or social status.

Karwa Chauth is a cherished tradition where women fast from dawn to moonrise, praying for their husband’s health and prosperity. The festival’s rituals often culminate in a moonlit evening, as wives break their fast after catching a glimpse of the celestial orb through a sieve — a sight that has inspired countless poems and Bollywood moments.

But for the petitioner, Narender Kumar, the tradition was apparently not inclusive enough. Arguing that widows, divorcees, separated women, and even those in live-in relationships were often excluded from participating, he sought to amend the law to make participation compulsory. He also asked for punitive action against anyone denying such participation.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel observed that the petitioner also sought directions that Karwa Chauth be declared a “festival of good fortunes of women folk”, Maa Gaura Utsav or Maa Parvati Utsav. Directions were further sought to the Government of India and the state of Haryana to take suitable measures and carry out relevant amendments in law to ensure participation of all sections of women.

The Bench asserted: “The principal grievance, which is projected as a social cause by the petitioner, appears to be that certain sections of women, especially widows, are not allowed to perform the rituals of Karwa Chauth. Therefore, a law be promulgated, making it compulsory for all women, without any discrimination, to perform Karwa Chauth rituals and in case of default, the act of default should be made punishable.” Observing that such matters fell under the “exclusive domain of the legislature”, the Bench declined to interfere. “At this juncture, the counsel for the petitioner prays for withdrawal of this petition. Dismissed as withdrawn with a token cost of Rs 1,000 to be deposited by the petitioner with the poor patient welfare fund, PGIMER, Chandigarh,” the Bench concluded.