A day before the important Supreme Court hearing on petitions challenging the validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, Mathura’s Shahi Masjid Eidgah committee, on Wednesday submitted an application for third party intervention stating that the law was introduced to further the country’s development and has stood firm for the last 33 years.
The application pointed out the validity of the law, which forbids changes to places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1945, and affirmed by the Supreme Court bench.
It noted that the 1991 Act was enacted for the country’s progress and for more than 33 years the law stood unaffected but now petitioners have challenged the enactment in court.
The mosque committee is currently involved in 17 pending cases in Allahabad High Court in which complainants who have filed these suits are claiming that they have the right over the mosque land and are seeking the demolition of the mosque structure as it is originally Krishna Janm Sthan.
The application reads “It would be in the interest of justice if the mosque committee is allowed to intervene and assist this Honourable Court in the adjudication of the issues (concerning the validity of Places of Worship Act,1991).”
A set of petitions challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship Act 1991 will be heard by a three-judge Special Bench headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna and justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Vishwanathan notified by the Supreme Court.
Amidst claims that mosques were built on temple ruins, many masjids are under threat of being demolished. Gyanvapi masjid is also one of the long-disputed masjids. Recently, a similar intervention application was submitted by the masjid committee challenging the court’s declaration that the 1991 Act is ‘unconstitutional.’
The committee, in its application, has pointed out the possible impact such verdicts will have on the social fabric of the country.
