Explained | What is The Places of Worship Act? How is it relevant in the Gyanvapi Masjid row?

The Places of Worship Act, 1991, was introduced to maintain a status quo over religious places and prevent any communal tension that may arise over the occupancy or rights over any such place. India Today explains the Act's relevance in the ongoing Gyanvapi Masjid controversy

The ongoing row over the Gyanvapi Masjid that is situated adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has again brought to the fore the controversy around The Places Of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

In 1991, a group of priests in Varanasi petitioned in court, seeking permission to worship on the Gyanvapi premises. The Allahabad High Court in 2019 ordered a stay on an ASI survey that was requested by the petitioners.

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The current controversy started when five Hindu women sought to routinely worship Shringar Gauri and other idols within the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

Last month, a Varanasi court ordered a videographed survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex after the five Hindu women filed pleas, seeking to worship behind the western wall of the premises. The report of the survey was initially ordered to be submitted by May 10. However, a delay was caused after the order was challenged by Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board and the mosque committee.

Turning down the plea, the Varanasi court said: “In any case, the survey work won't be stopped whether parties cooperate or don’t.”