SC To Hear Petitions Challenging Provisions Of Places Of Worship Act On Dec 12

Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act

The Supreme Court will hear a series of petitions on December 12 challenging certain provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act, 1991.

These provisions prevent the filing of lawsuits seeking the reclamation or alteration of the religious character of any place of worship to what it was on August 15, 1947.

A special bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan, will hear the case at 3:30 PM.

The 1991 Act aims to maintain the religious character of all places of worship as they stood on India’s independence day. It specifically prohibits any efforts to change the religious identity of these places and seeks to preserve their status as it was on August 15, 1947.

Earlier today, Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), launched a strong attack on the BJP-led government in connection with ongoing petitions. He accused the ruling party of using right-wing groups such as “Vahinis,” “Parishads,” and “Senas” to fuel unnecessary religious disputes.

Owaisi claimed that the government’s influence over these groups was contributing to heightened communal tensions in the country.

“The people of India are being pushed into unnecessary conflicts over history. No nation can progress if 14 percent of its population faces continuous pressure. Behind every ‘Vahini,’ ‘Parishad,’ or ‘Sena,’ the ruling party’s invisible hand is at work. They should uphold the Places of Worship Act and put an end to these baseless disputes,” Owaisi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The upcoming hearing will address the legal and constitutional challenges to the Places of Worship Act, with the potential to shape future debates on religious and historical matters in India.