Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991

Source: BS

Context: The Supreme Court of India has constituted a three-judge Special Bench to hear petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

About Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991:

• Objective: Freezes the status of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947. Prevents religious conversion of these sites to maintain their original character.

• Freezes the status of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.

• Prevents religious conversion of these sites to maintain their original character.

• Major Provisions: Prohibition of Conversion (Section 3): Disallows conversion of places of worship between denominations or sects. Maintenance of Religious Character (Section 4): Ensures preservation of religious identity as of August 15, 1947. Abatement of Cases (Section 4(2)): Terminates pending legal proceedings and prohibits new cases related to conversions before the cut-off date. Exceptions (Section 5): Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case. Ancient monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Disputes settled by mutual agreement before the Act.

• Prohibition of Conversion (Section 3): Disallows conversion of places of worship between denominations or sects.

• Maintenance of Religious Character (Section 4): Ensures preservation of religious identity as of August 15, 1947.

• Abatement of Cases (Section 4(2)): Terminates pending legal proceedings and prohibits new cases related to conversions before the cut-off date.

• Exceptions (Section 5): Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case. Ancient monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Disputes settled by mutual agreement before the Act.

• Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

• Ancient monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

• Disputes settled by mutual agreement before the Act.

• Penalties (Section 6): Imposes up to three years of imprisonment and fines for violations.

• Imposes up to three years of imprisonment and fines for violations.

Insta Links:

• Places-of-worship-act-1991

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Learn about the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, its objectives, key provisions, and current legal challenges. Understand its impact on India’s secular framework and judicial proceedings.