What is Places of Worship Act 1991? Know All About it and Why It Is The News?

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 is a landmark legislation in India that seeks to preserve the religious character of places of worship as enacted on August 15, 1947. The bill comes at a time of communal tension. More specifically, disputes over the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and over the Babri Masjid have escalated. It was introduced by the Congress government led by Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao to avoid further religious conflicts and maintain communal harmony.

  • The location in Ayodhya was the subject of litigation at the time.
  • A site declared an ancient monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.
  • Resolves disputes that existed before the Act came into force.
  • Penalty for non-compliance: Violation of any provision shall be punishable by imprisonment for three years or such fine as may be determined by the Magistrate.

historical background

The Act was enacted amid growing social tensions in India in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in relation to the events surrounding the Babri Masjid and Ramjan Mabhoomi disputes. Its purpose is to provide a peaceful legal framework and avoid further outbreaks of disputes over religious structures.

current development

Several petitions are currently pending in the Supreme Court of India seeking to declare certain provisions of the Act invalid. These pleas are of one kind or another that violate judicial review and are contrary to existing constitutional principles of secularism. Any order issued by the Supreme Court that literally removes all odds will undoubtedly work wonders in religious places across India.

Recent highlights:

Supreme Court Hearing: December 12, 2024 A special bench will argue the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act, as the ongoing debate continues to question the impact of the law on several religious places in India.

Political commentary: Political leaders addressed the current debate, advocating for compliance with the bill or calling for its reconsideration in light of recent communal clashes.

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 is an important legal provision that seeks to protect communal harmony by not altering places of worship for historical reasons. The fact that the case is currently being reviewed by India’s Supreme Court has fueled contemporary debates about religious identity and authority in India.