New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to examine whether courts can direct a state government to pay compensation for damage caused to places of worship like temples, mosques and churches during riots due to failure of law and order.
A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Prafulla C. Pant is hearing an appeal filed by the State of Gujarat against the Gujarat High Court order passed on a writ petition filed by Islamic Relief Committee of Gujarat to pay compensation for the damage and destruction caused to religious places during the 2002 communal riots.
Justice Misra said, “What is bothering us is whether because of a law and order situation can we compel the state to fund building of temples, mosques or churches, whether passing such an order will be against the secularism in a diversified country.” Arguments will continue on Thursday.
