The Gyanvapi Mosque's Managing Committee has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss petitions challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, emphasising that repealing the law could have dire consequences, including a breakdown of communal harmony and the rule of law.
The Act, enacted to preserve the religious character of places of worship as it stood on 15 August 1947, has been under scrutiny, with several petitions questioning its constitutionality.
The committee filed an intervention application, asserting that the Act reflects secular and constitutional values and was enacted after thorough parliamentary deliberation.
It argued that the petitioners have failed to present valid constitutional grounds to support their claims and are instead relying on rhetorical and communal arguments.
The application stressed that Parliament enacted the legislation to ensure that historical grievances do not overshadow the nation’s future.
Highlighting recent incidents, the application referred to a case in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where a survey of a mosque led to violence, resulting in the loss of lives.
The committee argued that repealing the Act would open the floodgates to similar disputes nationwide, threatening societal harmony and order.
The application also pointed out the numerous lawsuits filed against the Gyanvapi Mosque, many of which aim to alter its status as a mosque, citing its alleged history as a temple.
These suits are currently barred by the 1991 Act, which prohibits changing the religious character of any place of worship.
The committee noted that as many as 20 cases are pending in various Varanasi courts seeking to revoke the mosque's legal protections.
The committee underlined its position as a critical stakeholder in the matter, offering to assist the Supreme Court in understanding the implications of the Act's repeal.
It maintained that the law embodies the constitutional principles of secularism and fraternity, essential for maintaining the nation’s unity and peace.
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