The Supreme Court’s recent decisions, particularly allowing surveys of religious sites like Gyanvapi, have raised questions about the relevance of the Places of Worship Act (1991) and its role in safeguarding secularism in India.

Places of Worship Act (1991)

Background

• In 1991, the Government of India enacted the Places of Worship Act with the aim of maintaining the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947. 
• It was designed to prevent the re-examination of the religious nature of any place of worship that existed before this date.
• The law was introduced in response to growing tensions around religious sites, particularly after the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute. 
• The objective was to maintain communal harmony as this act was seen as a legislative intervention to protect India’s secular fabric and avoid further communal tensions.

Note: The Act specifically excluded the Ayodhya dispute, meaning it did not apply to the Babri Masjid site.

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Supreme Court’s Intervention

• Ayodhya Verdict (2019): In the 2019 Ayodhya verdict, the Supreme Court upheld the Places of Worship Act as essential to India’s constitutional values, particularly secularism. 
  • Drawing from the Kesavananda Bharati case, the Court reaffirmed that secularism, as part of the Constitution’s basic structure, is immutable.
  • It highlighted the Act’s role in ensuring non-retrogression, protecting secular principles from being reversed or undermined by legal or judicial actions.
• Supreme Court 2023 Decision: In August 2023, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud allowed the Gyanvapi mosque survey in Varanasi amidst claims it was built over a temple.
  • The Supreme Court did not stay the lower court’s order, stating the survey was interlocutory and did not violate the Places of Worship Act.
  • Justice Chandrachud assured that the mosque’s structure would be protected during proceedings. 
  • Critics, however, fear the order may set a precedent for revisiting religious site disputes, potentially conflicting with the Act’s intent to maintain the status quo of worship sites.

Concerns Arising from the Supreme Court’s Intervention

• Risks of Precedent: The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Gyanvapi mosque survey risks setting a precedent for local courts to permit similar surveys, potentially sparking religious disputes. 
  • For instance, in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, clashes erupted after a court approved a mosque survey. 
  • In Rajasthan, a petition has sought a survey of the Ajmer Dargah, claiming it was originally a Shiva temple. 
• Political and Religious Implications: The increasing number of such petitions could worsen the  religious and political atmosphere in India. 
• Implications on economy: The resulting communal disharmony could negatively impact India’s economic growth and development by creating an environment of instability and uncertainty.       

Way Forward

• Inter-community Dialogue: Scholars and religious leaders have suggested that inter-community dialogue should take precedence in resolving religious disputes. 
  • Civil society and religious groups, rather than courts, should lead these discussions to foster mutual understanding and peace.
• Clarification by the Supreme Court:The Supreme Court must clarify its position to avoid further confusion. 
  • If left unchecked, the trend of opening religious disputes through legal channels could destabilize India’s religious harmony.
• Role of the Legislature: The legislature should consider revisiting the Places of Worship Act to reinforce its applicability and prevent further judicial overreach, ensuring that the country’s delicate secular balance is not disrupted.

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Conclusion

The Pandora’s box opened by the Supreme Court’s recent decision may prove difficult to close, but it is crucial to adopt a nuanced, peaceful, and constitutionally sound approach to resolving religious disputes. This should involve a balanced mix of legal, political, and civil society efforts to safeguard the secular nature of India and prevent further communal discord.

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