Cong Moves SC to Oppose Pleas Against 1991 Places of Worship Act

The Indian National Congress on Thursday moved the Supreme Court to intervene in cases filed against the validity Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991, which preserves the character of religious places as they existed on August 15, 1947.

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The Places of Worship Act (POWA) was enacted by the Parliament, as it reflected the mandate of the Indian populace, said the Congress adding that the Act is essential to safeguard secularism in India.

Since the Congress, through its elected members was responsible for the introduction and passage of the Act, it may be allowed to intervene and defend the legal validity of the passage of the Act, it said.

"The POWA had been envisaged before the year 1991 and the same was made a part of the Congress' then-election manifesto for the Parliamentary elections. The POWA is essential to safeguard secularism in India and the present challenge appears to be a motivated and malicious attempt to undermine established principles of secularism," the application added.