"Party emphasizes its role as the architect of the law, reiterates commitment to protecting India's pluralistic heritage against divisive narratives".
In a significant legal and political move, the Indian National Congress (INC) has approached the Supreme Court to defend the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, amid growing challenges to its validity. Asserting its role as the primary architect of the Act, the party highlighted its historic commitment to safeguarding India's secular and pluralistic ethos.
The Act, enacted during the 10th Lok Sabha under Congress’ leadership, aims to preserve the religious character of all places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947, and prohibits their conversion. The law was a cornerstone of the INC's 1991 election manifesto, envisioned as a bulwark against communal polarization and to ensure peace in the wake of rising sectarian tensions.
“This Act is not just a statute; it is a testament to India's constitutional commitment to equality and religious harmony,” the Congress stated in its petition. The party also emphasized that the law was framed to ensure that the sensitive fabric of India’s multi-religious society remains intact and free from attempts to rewrite history for political gains.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions challenging the Act, with some groups contending that it undermines the right to judicial review in disputes over religious sites. Congress has argued that striking down the law could open old wounds, reignite communal tensions, and destabilize the nation’s social order.
“This is not just about law; it’s about preserving the soul of India,” a senior Congress leader stated, underscoring the party’s commitment to defending the Act in court.
As the Supreme Court deliberates on the matter, the Congress' intervention serves as a reminder of the Act’s historical significance and its relevance in contemporary India. The move is being viewed as a bold assertion of the party’s ideological stance and its role as a defender of India's secular identity.
