Mumbai: The failure to implement the Places of Worship Act, 1991, in its original form could lead to widespread unrest, warned Advocate Professor Suresh Mane at a workshop in Dadar organized by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and the Bharatiya Bahujan Alliance. He cautioned that weakening the Act would not only endanger historical mosques but also expose thousands of temples to legal challenges, particularly from Buddhist groups seeking to reclaim ancient Viharas beneath temples. Mane urged Muslims not to be fearful and to rely on the constitutional guarantees protecting their rights.
Shabbir Ansari, President of the All India OBC Organization, addressed misconceptions about the OBC identity among Muslims. He emphasized that OBC stands for ‘Other Backward Class’ and not ‘Other Backward Caste’, a misunderstanding that has led to many being denied rightful benefits. He also referenced the Gopal Singh Commission Report (1971), asserting that had its recommendations been implemented, many injustices faced today could have been prevented.
The workshop also saw discussions on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and caste-based census. Representatives from Dalit, Adivasi, Buddhist, and Christian communities stressed the need for a united struggle to protect constitutional rights. The organizers announced similar workshops in Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, aiming to strengthen inter-community solidarity and counter any attempts to weaken minority protections.
