India
oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P
New Delhi, Mar 13: The CPI(M) on Saturday questioned the need to examine the validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, saying the Centre should uphold the provisions of the legislation in its response to the Supreme Court.
The remarks came a day after the top court sought the Centre’s response to a plea against certain provisions of the 1991 law, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947.
The PIL assumes significance amid demands by some Hindu groups to reclaim religious places at Mathura and Kashi. “It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court has opened the way for a re-examination of the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act, 1991,” the Left party said in a statement.
The…