Supreme Court Hears Historic Places of Worship Law Challenge

The Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti has approached the Supreme Court to challenge sections of the 1991 Places of Worship Act. The group claims the law infringes on fundamental rights by barring changes to the religious character of places of worship as of 1947, impacting Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities.

The Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti, a prominent Hindu organization, has petitioned the Supreme Court of India, seeking intervention in cases concerning the 1991 law that maintains the religious character of places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947.

The organization's plea, submitted by lawyer Atulesh Kumar, targets Sections 3 and 4 of the 1991 Act, arguing that they infringe upon fundamental rights such as the right to equality and religious freedom. These sections effectively prevent changes to the religious status and bar judicial review of such matters.

The Supreme Court has consolidated several petitions challenging this Act, amid calls from various groups, including Muslim bodies like Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, for its stringent enforcement to uphold communal harmony.

(With inputs from agencies.)