**Congress Challenges Places of Worship Act in Supreme Court, Citing Threat to Communal Harmony**
The Congress party has taken a bold step by moving the Supreme Court to oppose challenges to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This move comes in response to petitions filed questioning the constitutional validity of the Act, as reported by news agency ANI on Thursday, January 16.
**Intervention Application in PIL**
In a significant development, the Congress party has filed an intervention application in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The party firmly believes that the Act plays a crucial role in upholding secularism in India, and any attempts to challenge it are deemed as motivated and malicious.
**Protecting India’s Secular Fabric**
The Congress party highlighted the constitutional and societal significance of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, in its application before the Supreme Court. It emphasized that altering the Act could potentially destabilize India’s communal harmony and secular fabric, posing a serious threat to the nation’s sovereignty and integrity.
**Historical Context of the Act**
Enacted in 1991 during the tenure of then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, the Places of Worship Act holds immense historical importance. The Congress party, along with the Janata Dal party, played a pivotal role in passing the law when they held the majority in the Lok Sabha. This commitment to secularism underscores the party’s dedication to upholding the principles enshrined in the Act.
**Legal Battles and Controversies**
The Supreme Court is gearing up to hear arguments challenging the constitutionality of the Act, with opposing parties claiming certain provisions are biased against Hindus. Various organizations, including the Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), have also entered the legal fray to either challenge or support the implementation of the Act.
**Legal Restraints and Precautions**
In December 2024, the Supreme Court issued directives to trial courts, urging them to refrain from making substantive decisions or conducting surveys on religious structures under dispute. This cautionary measure aims to maintain the status quo until the legal challenges to the Act are resolved.
The Congress party’s proactive stance in defending the Places of Worship Act underscores its commitment to preserving India’s secular ethos and communal harmony. As the legal battle unfolds in the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court, the nation watches with bated breath to see the outcome of this crucial debate.
