The Supreme Court heard petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act, 1991. A bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, with Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan, barred lower courts from issuing orders or initiating new cases. However, ongoing hearings in lower courts will continue.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Government, assured the court that a reply would be filed soon. The CJI stressed the importance of the government’s response and ordered it to submit an affidavit within four weeks. The court also directed that no new petitions on this issue be filed.
Key Concerns Over Social Harmony and Legal Challenges
Petitioners have demanded the repeal of Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Act. Section 3 bans the conversion of places of worship. Section 4 mandates preserving the religious character of places as they stood on August 15, 1947.
The Muslim side, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the Gyanvapi Mosque Management Committee, opposed the petitions. They warned that altering the Act would harm social harmony. Political leaders like Jitendra Awhad and Manoj Jha supported the Act and filed intervention petitions.
SC Cites Ayodhya Verdict, Sets Next Hearing in Eight Weeks
The Supreme Court referred to its Ayodhya verdict during the hearing. The bench noted the existence of several cases involving religious sites, including Mathura and Kashi. It instructed that no further cases be registered nationwide.
The Narasimha Rao-led Congress government introduced the Places of Worship Act in 1991 to maintain religious harmony. The Supreme Court will hear the case again in eight weeks.
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