The 2001 Census of India threw up the astonishing statistic that there were 2.4 million places of worship in the country (exceeding the number of schools, at 2.1 million). What it did not divulge of course was that a large number of them were unauthorised, built by encroaching on public land. On the face of it, the Supreme Court’s interim order banning the construction of any temple, church, gurudwara, or mosque on any roadside or other public space may seem like a mere reiteration of the law. But it must be seen in a larger context. It comes in the wake of a controversy over a sensitive issue that has resulted in a recent consensus between the Centre and the States that there would be no fresh construction of places of worship in public spaces. A directive by the Gujarat High Court in 2006 that all illegal structures, including places of worship, should be demolished resulted in violence following the demolition of a dargah in Vadodara. The approach of the Supreme Court, which stayed this directive following an appeal by the Centre, seems to strike a balance between opposing illegal religious structures and being responsive to the law and order problems that could result from their demolition.
Banning fresh construction of unauthorised places of worship is the easy part. The real challenge is to deal with existing illegal places of worship, of which there are an estimated more than 60,000 in Delhi alone. With respect to religious structures obstructing roads and public places, the court has adopted a cautious view — asking State governments and Union Territories to review them on a “case by case” basis and take appropriate steps expeditiously. These places of worship have been constructed through land grabbing in the name of God, usually by anti-social elements out to make a quick buck by exploiting the religious sentiments of the people. The mushrooming of these structures, encouraged by collusive politicians, has taken place under the nose of governmental authorities. They have often chosen to turn a blind eye to the encroachments, which in many places cause traffic snarls and occupy pavement space. The motive behind the defiance of law in such cases is no different from the rampant illegal construction of residential and office spaces; and the enabling factor, weak-kneed law enforcement, is more or less the same. In the case of illegal places of worship, the court is being asked to do what successive governments have failed to do over the years. One hopes that judicial resolve will jolt governments into intervening, without fear or favour, to prevent further construction of illegal religious structures and to find a way of tackling the problem of those that exist.
Keywords: 2001 Census of India, places of worship, Supreme Court, illegal places of worship, religious structures
It is time now the State Governments should take action to evict the encroachments on the pavements and other public places. In Chennai it may be seen many temples have come up encroaching the roads, hindering traffic. The Government should take stern action without any hesitation. Particularly if the encroachments of such types are evicted accidents and traffic congestion could be avoided.
Hinduism does not see anyone as a sinner. Nor does it see God as a terrifying factor. Instead all of us are regarded as children of immortal bliss and all religions as different ways to the same destination. Alas! we remain blissfully ignorant of our politicians' designs and fight over our religions and Gods.
For long, Gods have carelessly allowed their names to be used by the greedy and selfish in society. People who manipulate accounts and swindle corporate money in millions or receive huge bribes to compromise on their constitutional obligations, instead of finding God to be a terrifying factor, take solace in parting with part of their loot, dropping tonnes of gold into the coffers of God and availing special dharshans and blessings! Now this phenomenon of God grabbing lands on the pavements or in the middle of the road is only the logical extension of making God a more integral part of the gamble. It's time the true religious people speak up to protect the dignity of their Gods and say it loud and clear: God is not there in places that will obstruct the well being of people! By worshipping God in such places, you are committing a sin! Here are two quotes from the Bible from Prophets who teach people to correct their views on God and worship:
Jeremiah: Don't trust the lies of people who say, "This is the Temple of the Lord. This is the Temple of the Lord. This is the Temple of the Lord!" You must change your lives and do what is right. Be fair to each other.(Jer 7: 5-6)
Amos: Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more... This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba." (Amos4:4,5:4-5)
These quotes condemn established places of worship; for, when failing to "do what is right" or being "fair to each other" goes missing, all worship becomes sin! When hundreds and thousands of people have allowed the Government to demolish their cherished homes to make way for development of highways, is there one religion in India that is ready to stand up and say, our God is fair enough to move?
The vote bank is responsible for this. Destroying a temple may incur the wrath against BJP which will affect their vote banks, and destroying mosques will affect the muslim vote bank of Congress.
Absolutely right. All of these illlegal structures should be demolished. Governments of every State should strictly follow the law & Center also has to ensure this. Keepng the vote banks in mind, political parties are trying to play the game. Law breakers should be punished.
This will have serious consequences, when people say faith is above law.
The main claim of Parivar organizations on Ayodhya is that they are
above law and a matter of faith. Apart from that numerous temples/mosques and other places of worships built illegally will have to be demolished, which is a good thing and put an end to further encroachment of public property
Temples/churches/mosques at junctions and other busy locations don't serve their purpose. A place of worship place has to be serene. The reason why we go there is to spend time peacefully. Such places don't allow the worshippers to concenterate. Meditating there is out of question. People enter hastily, pray for 2-3 seconds and leave. What is the use of such a prayer and why is such a place needed?
It sounds so ridiculous. I wish there could be more schools and hospitals than places of worship in India.
This is a very serious issue which needs to be addressed without being sensitive. In Hyderabad there are several such temples and dargahs. One that always comes to my mind is the dargah near Ameerpet and the temple that has come up gradually at the Koti bus stop. Had the government taken precautionary measures, the land enroachment done at the Koti bus stop could have been avoided. I am firm believer in God, but feel sorry at seeing God being used as a prop to grab land and arouse religious sentiments.
There is nothing the Central or State Governments can do on encroached lands. All they can do now is to stop temples, churches, mosques or other such places being built on encroached lands and public places. Please don't wait for them to place a God there. India is a country where religion has been and is being misused the most.
Very true. In Mumbai, there is a Gurudwara in front of IIT Mumbai which stands on the plot identified for widening of Jogeshwari - Vikrholi link road. This is the main highway which connects eastern suburbs to the western part of city. The project was started with aid from the World Bank, and everything except demolition of the temple happened as per schedule. IIT, which was very reluctant to give its land, has finally provided the land for this project. Yet, the religious place stands in the middle of the road, after 3 years of the cycle period, and the project is stuck in midway.
There should not be exceptions. Let them demolish all the illegal structures. But who decides it is legal? In India is there any guarantee something is legal? Even after paying lakhs of hard-earned money for a lifetime dream of a house in a suburban area, the middle class residents are at risk. At anytime, anyone with the connivance of politicians can claim ownership of their land/houses.
The growth of such encroachments are not just a result of weak-kneed law enforcement. But, also a result of a political class actively encourages and ignores protests against such encroachments.
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