The act states that the nature of all places of worship, except Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, shall be maintained as it was on 15 August, 1947, when India became independent
File image of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. PTI
During the hearing on the Gyanvapi Mosque case, the Supreme Court made certain crucial observations on the 1991 Places of Worship Act.
On Friday, the apex court transferred the case to a district judge in Varanasi.
“Ascertainment of the religious character of a place of worship is not barred under Section 3 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991,” Justice DY Chadrachud observed earlier in the day.
This came as the Muslim side argued that the Places of Worship Act also applies to Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque.
Notably, Section 3 of the act bars the conversion of places, in full or part, of worship of any religious denomination into a place of worship of a different religious denomination.
Places of Worship Act of 1991
Passed by the Narasimha Rao government, the Places of Worship Act of 1991 states that the nature of all places of worship, except Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, shall be maintained as it was on 15 August, 1947, when India became independent.
Also read: Gyanvapi Mosque row: Supreme Court transfers case to Varanasi district judge
Section 4(1) of the act states that the religious character of a place of worship shall continue to be the same as it existed on 15 August, 1947.
However, the act exempts any place of worship which is an ancient or historical monument or archaeological site or remains covered by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
The Gyanvapi Mosque
The structure was built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1699. It is located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Over the years, several petitions have been filed claiming that the mosque was built by demolishing parts of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
With inputs from agencies
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