(L-R) Members of jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Salman Ahmad, Asst. Secretary, JIH, Malik Moatasim Khan, Vice President, JIH, and Prof. Salim Engineer, Vice President, JIH, address a press conference on Places of Worship Act (1991), Sambhal Violence, and other issues, in New Delhi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: ANI
The Supreme Court’s interim order to stop the registration of fresh suits against the Places of Worship Act and stay the passing of any interim or final order by any lower court regarding surveys of any place of worship has given a sigh of relief to the Muslim community. Leading Muslim bodies, including the All India Muslim Personal Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, have welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a “landmark” in preserving the secular character of the country.
AIMPLB spokesperson S.Q.R. Ilyas welcomed the top court’s interim order, saying “local courts were undermining the spirit of the Places of Worship Act by entertaining petitions and issuing orders concerning mosques and shrines. The manner in which the local courts declared appeals admissible and issued orders on mosques and dargahs had made this act ineffective.” The Supreme Court has now stopped any effective or final decisions and prohibited survey orders until the next hearing. It also clarified that no new petitions should be registered until the top court’s next ruling.
“The Supreme Court reiterated that civil courts cannot pass judgments parallel to those of the apex court, invoking the necessity of a stay in such situations. It noted that a five-judge bench order on this matter already exists,” Mr. Ilyas said.
Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, expressed hope that the judgment would “stop those responsible for spreading communalism and unrest in the country”. He, however, felt that given the sensitivity of the matter, they had expected the court to deliver a final verdict, but even the interim decision was a big and crucial one.
Mr. Madani pointed out that the attempt to call for a survey of the Shahjahani Jama Masjid under the pretext of examining its history showed that communal elements, by claiming mosques and shrines as temples, were using surveys to create chaos and disrupt centuries-old peace, unity, and brotherhood in the country. “This is the reason why such people find the 1991 Act like a thorn and were hatching a dangerous conspiracy to get it repealed one way or another. To end this law, a petition against the law was filed in the Supreme Court in 2022. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind opposed it and approached the Supreme Court in support of the mentioned law,” Mr. Madani said.
Meanwhile, Mahmood Madani who helms the other faction of Jamiat said: “Our goal is to safeguard peace and unity in this country. Instead of focusing on past grievances, we must concentrate on building a shared future where all communities have equal participation in the progress of the nation,” adding, “Those who obsess over finding temples under mosques are enemies of the unity and integrity of our country.”
The Act was challenged in 2020, and the Supreme Court had sought a response from the Union government. The Centre is yet to file its response, and the top court has again directed the government to submit its reply, which will be made publicly available on its website.
Published – December 13, 2024 02:40 am IST
