The Supreme Court today informed a public interest litigant seeking reforms in India’s education policy and religious institutional governance that citizens are often unaware of an important parliamentary mechanism available to seek legislative changes through the Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

During the hearing, the petitioner-in-person passionately argued that India’s future depended upon strengthening the country’s education system and claimed that inadequate educational reforms would adversely impact future generations and constitutional governance. He also raised concerns regarding the management of religious institutions and the alleged misuse of community resources.

The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi appreciated the effort and research undertaken by the petitioner but explained that courts cannot directly create new laws or amend statutes under Article 32 merely because a citizen seeks policy reform. The Court observed that while constitutional courts can examine whether a law violates the Constitution, the power to enact or amend legislation lies with Parliament and State legislatures.

The Bench informed the petitioner about the Parliamentary Petitions Committee and observed that many citizens are unaware of the mechanism through which they can formally seek legal reforms, statutory amendments, or the introduction of new legislation before Parliament. The Court explained that any citizen wanting changes in law or public policy can submit a petition before the committee, which is empowered to examine such grievances and place them through the parliamentary process.

The Court further indicated that disputes relating to alleged mismanagement of gurudwara properties or misuse of religious funds could also be pursued before specialised statutory tribunals already constituted under law.

While declining to issue notice in the PIL, the Supreme Court encouraged the petitioner to pursue the parliamentary remedy and assured him that his concerns would receive institutional consideration through the appropriate mechanism.