Why in news
The Centre did not file a counter-affidavit in response to the challenge of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, during a Supreme Court hearing.
The case has been pending for over four years, with multiple court orders asking the government to file an affidavit, but no comprehensive response yet.
The case was adjourned to April 1, 2025, by a Bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
The court expressed concerns about the large number of petitions being filed and dismissed some that had not yet received notice.
The court allowed petitioners to file new applications with fresh legal grounds.
The petitioners urged the court to direct the Centre to file its response, which had been delayed since 2021.
Arguments & Opposition
Supporters of the 1991 law argued it protects against increasing suits that could fuel communal tensions, maintaining the status quo of religious sites as they were in 1947.
Critics argue the law prevents Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs from reclaiming places of worship they believe were taken by invaders.
The court previously banned civil courts from hearing cases seeking to reclaim temples destroyed by Mughals, with Justice Viswanathan suggesting the 1991 Act reflects constitutional principles.
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