Orissa High Court Rules Only Licensed Photographers Allowed at Konark’s Sun Temple

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has reaffirmed that only photographers authorized by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be permitted to operate within the premises of the iconic Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha’s Puri district.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Chakradhar Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Ratho, delivered the judgment on Monday, upholding an earlier ruling by a single-judge bench from January 2022.

The case originated from a petition filed by 10 licensed photographers who argued that the activities of unauthorized photographers were adversely impacting their livelihoods. In its January 2022 verdict, the single-judge bench had ruled in favor of the petitioners, stating that only photographers with valid ASI licenses could operate at the 13th-century Sun Temple.

However, the ruling was challenged by a group of 154 photographers who did not meet the ASI’s minimum qualification of Matriculation—a criterion required to obtain a license. They contended that the restriction would deprive them of their livelihood and appealed to the court for a one-time exemption to this educational requirement.

In its affidavit, the ASI opposed the request for an exemption, citing its uniform policy for managing photographers at heritage sites across India. The division bench sided with the ASI, dismissing the appeal by the 154 photographers and upholding the single-judge bench’s decision.

The court ruled that, apart from tourists, only licensed photographers authorized by the ASI would be allowed access to the temple premises.

The decision reinforces the ASI’s authority to regulate activities within protected heritage sites, ensuring that standards and policies are uniformly applied. While it provides a level playing field for licensed photographers, the ruling also underscores the importance of adhering to qualifications and obtaining proper authorization to operate at such monuments.