Centre seeks list of religious structures in Gujarat

New Delhi, May 7: The Union Home Ministry is awaiting a detailed list of religious structures encroaching on public land from the Gujarat government.

The list is reportedly sought in the context of the disturbances in Vadodara following the demolition of the 300-year-old dargah of Radhiduddin Rehmatullah Chishti by the Municipal Corporation on Monday last.

Home Ministry sources said here today that such a list would help to identify the religious structures that existed as on August 15, 1947.

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 prohibits conversion of any place of worship which existed as on the date when India got independence.

It also provides for maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship that was in existence as on August 15, 1947.

The Centre has sent the communication to the state by invoking Article 355 of the Constitution on the Duty of the Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbances.

Sources said the Home Ministry also advised the state government to verify all land records before demolishing religious structures as the demoliton drive may lead to communal tension both in Gujarat and outside the state.

UNI

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