The Minority Department of Uttar Pradesh Congress has announced a public campaign from December 6 to 22 to advocate for the strict implementation of the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
As part of the initiative, the Congress plans to send 100,000 letters to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, questioning the Supreme Court’s silence on alleged violations of the law.
The Places of Worship Act, enacted in 1991 by the then-Congress government, was passed unanimously by both Houses of Parliament. The law mandates that the religious character of all places of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947, must remain unchanged. It also prohibits courts from accepting petitions that challenge this status. However, Congress leaders argue that violations of the Act, such as in Sambhal, continue to surface.
“Through these letters, we will ask the Chief Justice whether the Places of Worship Act, 1991 is still valid or has expired. If it remains in force, why are courts not taking action against its violations?’ said Shahnawaz Alam, the outgoing president of the Congress Minority Cell, in an interview with The Hindu.
The Congress has accused the government of fostering an environment of anarchy and violence by disregarding the Act.
“Despite clear provisions under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution, courts have failed to take suo motu cognisance of state-sponsored violence against Muslims. Yet, they often intervene in environmental matters based on media reports,” Alam added.
