Insult to God to have unauthorised places of worship: SC
The Supreme Court has expressed anguish over inaction of authorities for allowing the existence of unauthorised places of worship on roads and pavements across the country, saying “it is an insult to God.”
- The court has warned chief secretaries of states and Union territories of serious consequences if they did not comply with its orders directing removal of religious structures which came up on pavements and public land after September 2011.
2011 order of the court:
The court, in September, 2011, had said that it had undertaken the exercise primarily to ensure that “henceforth no public land, public park or public street is encroached for constructing religious structures”.
- All collectors and district magistrates in the country were directed to meticulously ensure that no further land is encroached in their respective districts. The district magistrates and collectors had to ensure that no commercial activity is carried out from unauthorised structures on public land.
- The district magistrates were also directed to send their reports every month to the chief secretary of the state regarding fresh encroachment and status of existing unauthorised structures. The chief secretaries, in turn, were to file affidavits before the court once in three months on regular basis.
- However, none of the states had complied with its interim orders and were taking the matter lightly by seeking time to file even the court-mandated quarterly status reports.
Why be concerned about this?
Individuals or groups occupying public spaces by setting up places of worship is a rampant problem everywhere in India. In this regard, it is most welcome that the Supreme Court is taking such a tough stance on this issue.
- However, disheartening is the lack of enthusiasm among governments to act against those grabbing land in this manner. Every case of such grabbing allowed to succeed has the effect of emboldening many more to follow suit.
What needs to be done?
Governments should act promptly and sternly to signal loud and clear that such encroachment on public spaces will no longer be tolerated.
