Sambhal Mosque Row: AIMPLB Urges Supreme Court to Prevent Lower Courts from Entertaining Claims on Mosques and Dargahs

Sambhal Mosque Row: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has raised serious concerns over a series of claims challenging the status of mosques and dargahs across India. The Board has called upon the Supreme Court to intervene and direct lower courts to stop accepting such petitions, citing the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which maintains the status of all religious places as it stood on August 15, 1947.

Recent Claim on Ajmer Dargah Sparks Controversy

The most recent controversy surrounds the Ajmer Dargah, with a petition in Ajmer's West Civil Court claiming that the site was originally the Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple. The court has accepted the petition for hearing and issued notices to the Dargah Committee, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India. This follows earlier claims on the Gyanvapi Mosque, Shahi Eidgah, and Teele Wali Masjid.

AIMPLB’s Reaction

Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, National Spokesperson for AIMPLB, emphasized that these claims undermine constitutional provisions and the law enacted to prevent religious disputes post the Babri Masjid case. He criticized the lower courts for entertaining such petitions and warned that these actions could exacerbate communal tensions nationwide.

Supreme Court’s Role and Babri Masjid Precedent

Dr. Ilyas highlighted the Supreme Court's earlier stance during the Babri Masjid case, where it upheld the Places of Worship Act and declared no new claims could be entertained post-1991. However, the court allowed surveys and hearings in recent disputes, including the Gyanvapi case, which, according to AIMPLB, set a concerning precedent leading to fresh claims.

Call for Action

AIMPLB has appealed to the Chief Justice of India to take suo motu action to prevent further misuse of the judiciary in such cases. The Board also urged central and state governments to enforce the 1991 law strictly, warning that failure to do so could lead to widespread unrest.

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