AIMIM Chief Owaisi Writes To PM Modi Regarding Places Of Worship Act 1991

October 19, 2022

Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi, the President of the All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) wrote an open letter to Mr. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.

The open letter was written with a request to defend the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 before the Supreme Court. The Hyderabad Member of Parliament Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi said that PM of India should defend the Act as it upholds India’s diversity.

It is to be noted, the letter came after a petition was filed in the Supreme Court, which challenged the constitutionality of the Places of Worship Act. After reviewing the petition, the Top Court bench asked the Government of India to submit a report and their stand on the matter.

Concerned about the same, Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi said, “It is a general duty of the executive to defend the constitutionality of parliamentary legislation.”

Addressing the @PMOIndia regarding Places of Worship Act, 1991, Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi said, “#SupremeCourt is hearing a challenge to its constitutionality & has sought Union govt’s stand. SC had held that the Act enforced basic structure of the constitution. PM must defend the Act as it upholds India’s diversity.” Furthermore, the AIMIM President pointed out that the Act was enacted to protect the character of places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947.

The primary purpose behind such a provision was to protect the diversity and pluralism in India and ensure that independent India did not suffer from religious disputes. Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi said, “When this law was introduced in Parliament, it was rightly stated to be a measure necessary to avoid controversies that arise from time to time regarding conversion of places of worship which tend to vitiate the communal atmosphere. It was enacted as a law with the hope that it would heal the wounds of the past and help restore communal amity and goodwill.” He further added, “The Act represents the idea that one cannot endlessly litigate against history. That modern India cannot be the battleground of resolving medieval disputes. It puts an end to unnecessary religious disputes and protects India’s religious diversity. Therefore, I urge you to defend the sanctity of this solemn legislation.”

Wrote to @PMOIndia regarding Places of Worship Act, 1991. #SupremeCourt is hearing a challenge to its constitutionality & has sought Union govt’s stand. SC had held that the Act enforced basic structure of the constitution. PM must defend the Act as it upholds India’s diversity pic.twitter.com/B9oZPpyNxO

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) October 19, 2022