Legal

Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing On Places Of Worship Act; Next Hearing In March

The Supreme Court of India on Monday adjourned the hearing of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which preserves the character of religious places as they existed on August 15, 1947.

Hearing Deferred To March

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar informed the advocates that the case required a three-judge bench, whereas the current bench was a two-judge combination.

“We will not take up the Places of Worship Act matter today. It is a three-judges matter. Too many petitions have been filed. List sometime in March. There is a limit to interventions being filed,” the CJI stated.

Key Petitions And Opposition

Several organizations and individuals have filed applications against the petitions challenging the 1991 Act, arguing that any reconsideration of the law would open the “floodgates of litigation” against numerous religious sites across India. Among those opposing the pleas are:

Indian National Congress
CPI(ML)
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi
Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind
All India Muslim Personal Law Board
Gyanvapi Mosque Management (Anjuman Intezamia Masjid)
Shahi Idgah Mosque Committee (Mathura)

These organizations have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions against the Act.

Challengers To The 1991 Act

The petitioners challenging the Act include:

Maharaja Kumari Krishna Priya (Daughter of Kashi Royal Family)
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy
Former MP Chintamani Malviya
Retired Army Officer Anil Kabotra
Advocates Chandra Shekhar & Ashwini Upadhyay
Religious Leaders: Swami Jeetendranand Saraswati & Devkinandan Thakur Ji

Their petitions argue that the 1991 Act:

Violates the right to equality and religious freedom by preventing Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs from restoring their places of worship.
Unfairly excludes Ayodhya but includes Mathura, despite both being incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Takes away the right to judicial remedy, closing the option to legally reclaim religious sites.

Supreme Court’s Previous Orders

On December 12, 2024, the Supreme Court restrained all courts across India from issuing any effective interim or final orders, including orders of survey, in pending cases against existing religious structures.
The court also ruled that no fresh suits regarding such claims should be registered until it resolves the matter.

About The Places Of Worship Act, 1991

The Act prohibits altering the religious character of any place of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947, except Ayodhya’s Ram Janmabhoomi case. It imposes strict penalties for violations.

What’s Next?

With the case now scheduled for March 2025, the Supreme Court’s decision could have far-reaching implications on religious and historical disputes across India.

Also Read: Ayodhya Faces Devotee Surge: Ram Temple Crowds Overwhelm Police & Administration

Anamika Agarwala