What is the Places of Worship Act?
The Places of Worship Act is an act that forbids the conversion of religious buildings and preserves their religious identity as of August 15, 1947.
Exemption
Ayodhya was not covered by the Act. Due to this loophole, the Ayodhya case trial proceeded long after the law’s introduction.
The Act excluded:
Any ancient monument or historic landmark house of worship protected by the 1958 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
A closed case.
Resolved disputes or consented site conversions before the Act.
Criticism
The rule has been challenged because it inhibits the Constitution’s right to judicial review, imposes a “arbitrary irrational retrospective cutoff date,” and hinders Hindu, Jains, Buddhist, and Sikh religious freedom.
Its Clauses?
Paragraph 3
The Act prohibits the conversion of any house of worship, regardless of religious affiliation, into a place of worship for a different religion or branch of the same faith.
Art. 4(1)
It stipulates that a religious institution “shall continue to be the same as it existed” on August 15, 1947.
Paragraph 4(2)
It specifies that any litigation or legal action relating to the conversion of a house of worship that existed on August 15, 1947, and was pending before a court should be dismissed, and no new lawsuit shall be launched. This clause safeguards ongoing litigation, appeals, and legal actions that involve the conversion of a house of worship’s religious nature after the deadline.
Art. 5
This Act does not apply to any litigation, appeal, or other proceeding affecting the Ayodhya-based Ram Janma Bhumi-Babri Masjid.
Art. 6
Section 3 offenders risk fines and three-year prison terms.
Any attempt, cause, or contribution to any of the acts in paragraph (1) shall be penalized.
Despite section 116 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), anybody who supports or participates in a criminal plot to commit a crime punishable under paragraph (1) would be punished.
Art. 7
This Act applies despite any contradictory provisions in other laws or documents.
Conclusion:-
The Places of Worship Act forbids the conversion of religious buildings and preserves their religious identity as of August 15, 1947. It excludes buildings of worship protected under the 1958 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, disputes successfully settled or dismissed, and agreed disagreements or conversions before the Act’s inception. The Act prevents the conversion of any house of worship into a new religion or branch of the same church, regardless of religious affiliation. It also drops any case relating to the conversion of a house of worship that was pending on August 15, 1947. The Ayodhya Ram Janma Bhumi-Babri Masjid is exempt from the Act. The Act carries a fine and a three-year sentence. Attempts, causes, and complicity in crimes are punishable. Despite other laws, the Act’s provisions apply.
