The Supreme Court will hear the case on ‘Place of Worship Act, 1991’ on 17th February

New Delhi – The Supreme Court will collectively hear petitions related to the ‘Places of Worship Act, 1991’ on February 17. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna, will preside over the hearing.

1. The Places of Worship Act, 1991, prohibits any changes to the religious nature of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.

2. Several petitions have challenged the validity of the law.

3. Some miscreants, under the pretext of maintaining religious harmony, have been demanding strict enforcement of the law.

4. On December 12, 2024, the Supreme Court halted the proceedings on approximately 18 cases filed by Hindutva groups concerning the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah in Mathura.

5. On the other hand, Asaduddin Owaisi, the head of AIMIM and Member of Parliament, filed a petition on January 2, demanding strict enforcement of the Places of Worship Act.

Supreme court to Hear Pleas Concerning Places of Worship Act, 1991

Since the law was enacted by Parliament, the power to amend or repeal it also lies with Parliament.

Therefore, instead of taking up the court’s time deciding on the constitutionality of the law, the Parliament… pic.twitter.com/cej6jxNkNS

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 15, 2025

Editorial Perspective

Hindus think that the Parliament enacted the law, and it has the authority to amend or revoke it. Therefore, instead of the court spending time deciding on its constitutionality, Parliament itself should revoke it.