Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Religious Site Disputes Under 1991 Worship Act

The court's decision pauses trials on petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act, aiming to uphold India's secular principles amid rising tensions.

• The Supreme Court has barred lower courts from entertaining new cases related to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, until its validity is determined.
• The 1991 Act prohibits altering the religious character of places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947, with the exception of the Ayodhya dispute.
• This decision comes after recent judicial interpretations allowed surveys of sites like the Gyanvapi Mosque, leading to unrest and raising concerns about communal harmony.
• The court's ruling freezes 18 petitions seeking to challenge or reinterpret the Act, with the government given four weeks to respond.
• Legal experts and commentators highlight the importance of the Act in preserving India's secular framework and preventing historical grievances from reigniting conflicts.

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