Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 11:27am on 21 Apr 2025,Monday Spiritual
India's Places of Worship Act, 1991, which preserves the religious status of sites as of 15 August 1947, faces legal challenges from Hindu groups seeking to reclaim mosques allegedly built over demolished temples. A court-ordered survey of the 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, sparked violent clashes, resulting in five deaths and numerous injuries. The Supreme Court has halted such surveys nationwide, pending review of the Act's constitutionality. Critics argue the law infringes on religious freedoms and judicial review, while supporters warn that altering it could incite communal unrest. The controversy underscores escalating tensions over religious heritage and India's secular framework. (PC: The Independent & Getty Images)
