The Supreme Court order banning the unauthorised construction of places of worship in public spaces is welcome. It is in the interest of communal harmony and traffic safety. Religious heads should not instigate the people over the issue. The authorities should ensure that the order is strictly implemented — with respect to the existing constructions too — without fear or favour. It is sad that such constructions come up beside hospitals, educational institutions and existing places of worship. In many instances, they are built to create communal tensions and consolidate vote banks.
T. Prabhakara Rao,
Machilipatnam
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The construction of places of worship in public spaces often leads to communal tensions. It is heartening to learn that a consensus was reached on the issue between the Central and the State governments. The review of existing structures should be put on hold until a final decision is taken by the Supreme Court on the issue.
K.V. Seetharamaiah,
Hassan
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Unscrupulous elements and religious mafias with sufficient help from local goondas usurp public places for religious purposes and later convert them into private land that is rented or leased out. It is hoped that the court order will soon be made into a law.
Mohan Das,
Bangalore
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Illegal constructions have become a headache for the governments. They should not hesitate to remove the existing structures if they pose a hindrance to traffic.
S. Padmanabha Mallya,
Kochi
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In a system which has too many parties with different ideologies, what we need is a sound judicial verdict to enforce discipline in the absence of self discipline. The judiciary should deliver more such rulings to curb the menace of encroachments.
T. Ramachandraprasad,
Chennai
