AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has raised questions over the court’s decision to order a survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, despite the petition only seeking the right to access the structure.
Owaisi, addressing reporters on Sunday, criticised the ruling BJP, claiming that such issues weaken the country, which is grappling with inflation, unemployment, farmer suicides, and other pressing matters.
“If we read the petition, we find the prayer in it is right to access. If this is so, why did the court order the survey, which is wrong? If they need access, who stops them from going and sitting in the mosque?” the Hyderabad MP said.
He also questioned why the survey was ordered when the Places of Worship Act prohibits changing the character or nature of religious places.
The controversy began when, on November 19, a Sambhal court issued an ex-parte order for the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, based on a plea from the Hindu side claiming the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1526 after demolishing a temple.
Violence erupted in the area during the court-ordered survey on November 24, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and leaving many others injured.
Following the violence, the Supreme Court intervened on Friday, halting the trial proceedings in the Sambhal mosque case and directing the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain peace and harmony in the area.
On the broader issue of religious disputes, Owaisi also referred to the recent petition seeking to declare the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan as a temple.
“The dargah exists for 800 years, and Amir Khusro even mentioned it in his book. Now they say it’s not a dargah. If this is so, where is this going to stop?” Owaisi said, adding that even prime ministers send 'chadar' to the dargah during 'Urs'.
“What will the Modi government say when they send the chadar every year?” he asked.
Owaisi warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, leading to further religious disputes.
He pointed out that if the Buddha and Jain communities were to follow a similar course of action, they too might claim ownership over certain religious places.
The 1991 Places of Worship Act, he noted, was introduced to prevent such changes, ensuring that the nature of religious places remains as it was on August 15, 1947.
Owaisi further criticised the BJP for focusing on these issues instead of addressing critical national concerns such as economic challenges and security.
"There are problems like inflation, unemployment, farmer suicides, and China becoming powerful. But they put the people at work for this (survey of religious places)," he said, warning that such incidents would continue following the Babri case judgment.
Owaisi also responded to remarks made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on India's declining population growth.
Bhagwat had expressed concern over India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR), stating it should be at least 3.
“Now those in the RSS should start marrying,” Owaisi quipped.
He added, “Their (BJP) MPs say that no one having more than two children should be given the benefit of government schemes. They should stick to one policy.”
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