🔆Religious Disputes and Social Harmony: Sambhal Case 📍Background 📜The Sambhal Jama Masjid case highlights ongoing debates around historical religious sites. Petitioners claim the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1526 after demolishing a Hindu temple. 📜This case is similar to disputes over Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque and Mathura’s Shahi Idgah, which question the religious character of such sites. 📍Legal Framework ⚖️The Places of Worship Act, 1991 aims to protect communal harmony by: ✅Prohibiting any changes to the religious character of places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947. ✅Preventing religious conversions of such sites. 📍Court Proceedings 🔍On November 19, the Sambhal District Court ordered a survey of the mosque. 🔍A second survey was conducted on November 21, and the report is due by November 29. 🔍Petitioners argue their claims fall outside the Act, citing historical grievances. 📍Impact on Society 🌍Social Harmony: Disputes like these can create divisions and disrupt peace among communities. 🌍Judicial Precedent: The court's decision could influence similar cases across India. 🌍Community Trust: Resolving such disputes fairly is essential to maintain trust between religious groups. 🌍Cultural Identity: These cases often bring up questions of faith and identity in society. 📍Way Forward ✅Encourage dialogue between communities to resolve such issues peacefully. ✅Spread awareness about the Places of Worship Act to prevent unnecessary legal battles. ✅Promote historical research to understand these disputes better. ✅Focus on policies that build interfaith understanding and ensure long-term peace. #gs1 #society #mains