Daily Current Affairs : 26-November-2024

The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has become the center of a heated dispute over claims that it was built on the site of an ancient Hindu temple. This ongoing controversy has sparked protests, with several groups arguing that the mosque’s existence contradicts historical religious claims. At the heart of this dispute lies the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which has been invoked to settle the matter and maintain the religious status quo.

About the Places of Worship Act, 1991

The Places of Worship Act, 1991 was enacted with the objective of preserving communal harmony and preventing religious conflicts regarding places of worship. Its key provisions include:

  • Section 3: Prohibits the conversion of any place of worship to a different religion, either wholly or partly.
  • Status Quo: The Act ensures that the religious character of all places of worship remains as it was on August 15, 1947, the day India gained independence.
  • Legal Restrictions: It bars any legal claims or suits that aim to change the religious nature of a place of worship.
Exemptions Under the Act

There are some important exemptions under the Act:

  • Ayodhya Dispute: The Act specifically excludes the Ayodhya dispute, as it was pending in court at the time of the Act’s enforcement.
  • Ancient Monuments: Historical sites covered under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 are also excluded.
  • Mutual Resolution: Disputes that have been resolved through mutual consent or settled before the Act’s implementation are not affected.
Significance of the Act

The ultimate aim of the Places of Worship Act is to ensure that religious tensions do not escalate by addressing historical disputes in a way that promotes peace. By maintaining the religious status quo, the Act seeks to prevent conflicts that may arise from competing claims over the origins of religious sites.

Important Points:

  • Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is facing a dispute over claims it was built on the site of a Hindu temple.
  • The controversy has led to protests and discussions about the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
  • The Places of Worship Act, 1991 aims to preserve religious harmony by preventing changes to the religious character of places of worship. Key Provisions of the Act:
    • Section 3 prohibits converting a place of worship to a different religion, wholly or partly.
    • The Act ensures that the religious character of all places of worship remains as it was on August 15, 1947 (Independence Day).
    • It bars any legal suits or claims that seek to alter the religious status of a place of worship.
  • Exemptions:
    • The Ayodhya dispute is excluded, as it was under litigation when the Act was passed.
    • Ancient monuments are covered under a separate law, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
    • Disputes settled by mutual consent or before the Act’s implementation are not affected.
  • The Act aims to prevent religious conflicts over historical claims and maintain communal harmony.

Why In News

The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is embroiled in disputes over claims that it was constructed on the site of an ancient Hindu temple, leading to protests and prompting the invocation of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which aims to preserve the religious status quo of such sites. This controversy has intensified local tensions and raised questions about historical claims and religious identity.

MCQs about Places of Worship Act

  1. What is the main purpose of the Places of Worship Act, 1991?
    A. To promote the construction of new religious places
    B. To preserve the religious character of places of worship as they were on August 15, 1947
    C. To allow conversion of places of worship for different religious purposes
    D. To regulate disputes between different religions
    Correct Answer: B. To preserve the religious character of places of worship as they were on August 15, 1947
    Explanation: The main objective of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, is to maintain the religious status quo of all places of worship as it was on Independence Day, 1947, and to prevent the conversion of religious sites.
  2. Which of the following is an exemption to the Places of Worship Act, 1991?
    A. Disputes over religious sites in Ayodhya
    B. Conversion of a mosque into a Hindu temple
    C. Building new religious places
    D. Claims about the religious status of modern religious buildings
    Correct Answer: A. Disputes over religious sites in Ayodhya
    Explanation: The Places of Worship Act, 1991, specifically excludes the Ayodhya dispute, as it was under legal consideration at the time the Act was enacted.
  3. What does Section 3 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991 prohibit?
    A. Construction of new places of worship
    B. Conversion of a place of worship to a different religious denomination or segment
    C. Religious ceremonies at historic sites
    D. Legal challenges related to religious practices
    Correct Answer: B. Conversion of a place of worship to a different religious denomination or segment
    Explanation: Section 3 of the Act prohibits the conversion of any place of worship, either wholly or partly, to another religious denomination or segment.
  4. What is the purpose of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, in the context of the Shahi Jama Masjid controversy?
    A. To resolve the dispute by allowing a change in religious character of the mosque
    B. To ensure the religious status of the mosque is preserved as it was in 1947
    C. To allow legal claims to change the mosque’s religious identity
    D. To promote new religious construction in the area
    Correct Answer: B. To ensure the religious status of the mosque is preserved as it was in 1947
    Explanation: The controversy surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid is being addressed within the framework of the Places of Worship Act, which aims to preserve the religious character of the mosque as it was on August 15, 1947, preventing any changes based on historical claims.

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