Late, but welcome, say Muslim bodies in UP

LUCKNOW/MEERUT/JAIPUR: Muslim clerics and groups on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's directive restraining courts from entertaining fresh suits or passing orders to survey mosques or dargahs to determine whether temple structures lie beneath them, even as Hindu petitioners termed it a "small impediment" in their struggle to reclaim their religious sites.

- HT Correspondents

A special three-judge bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, issued the directive while hearing a petition challenging the validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. The bench directed that in all pending suits, the courts would not pass any effective interim or final orders, including orders of survey by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It sought the Centre's reply in four weeks.

"We welcome the directives of the Supreme Court and this will be a relief not just for the entire state but also for the entire country. The common people, especially Muslims, were restless over filing of suits against their religious places. We expect that Supreme Court, in its final judgment, will strengthen the implementation of the Places of Worship Act so that this stops all future controversies as well. This will be in the interest of the nation," All India Muslim Personal Law Board member and Lucknow's city qazi Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali said.

All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) general secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas hailed the top court's directives as a "step towards" easing tension of the minority community over their religious places. "The way people used to move courts and obtain orders from lower courts was causing tension... We welcome the directive," he said, citing examples of lawsuits in Sambhal, Badaun (both in Uttar Pradesh), Jaipur and Ajmer (both in Rajasthan), among several cities.

The apex court's interim directive will stall proceedings in various lawsuits filed across the country. Around 18 lawsuits have been filed by Hindu petitioners seeking survey of at least 10 mosques across UP, including Gyanvapi at Varanasi, Shahi Eidgah at Mathura and Shahi Jama Masjid at Sambhal. Proceedings in Bhojshala-Kamala Maula mosque suit at Dhar in Madhya Pradesh and one seeking survey of Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan will also be stalled.