The Supreme Court of India is set to take up the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, in a crucial hearing today. The Act prohibits the alteration of religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, except for the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, which was already under litigation at the time.
Several petitions have challenged the Act, arguing that it infringes upon the right to religious freedom and equality by freezing the status of religious places based on a historical cutoff. Critics also claim that the Act restricts judicial recourse and violates the fundamental right to seek justice.
Supporters of the law contend that it aims to maintain communal harmony by preventing disputes over religious sites and ensuring the secular fabric of the nation.
The apex court’s decision on this matter could have far-reaching implications for the legal and social landscape of India. All eyes will be on the proceedings as the nation awaits clarity on the future of this contentious legislation.
