"It (Secularism) should be adopted by all religions and citizens in India and it cannot be selective. To respect other religions is also a formal part of fundamental duties," said the retired Supreme Court judge.
There is as much an element of ceremony, cultural programmes, festival and fanfare involved as religious worship at Durga Puja festivals, the Court said.
If such offences are allowed to be compounded, it would result in a parasite, which would only eat the society and create further animosity among religious groups, the High Court said.