New Delhi: Taking a serious view of the inaction of the states to remove unauthorised religious constructions, the Supreme Court on Tuesday warned them of summoning the Chief Secretaries if they failed to respond in two weeks.
A bench of Justices V. Gopala Gowda and Arun Mishra hearing an appeal relating to unauthorised religious constructions like temples, mosques and churches, expressed its anguish and observed: “Construction of temples and mosques near drains and kiosks selling tobacco products is an insult to God. This is not due to faith but because people want to make money.”
God never wanted to obstruct road: Supreme Court
The bench observed: “The states must remove them. Everyone has the right to walk. God never intended to obstruct the path meant for the people. Why shouldn’t these structures go.”
The bench faulted the states for not filing an affidavit in compliance of its March 8 order seeking details of how many illegal religious constructions have been removed. “Do we give our orders to be kept in cold storage. Your chief secretaries do not respect our orders. We will show them what we can do for not obeying,” the bench said.
It ordered personal presence of chief secretaries of 29 states and seven Union territories if they fail to submit the information within two weeks. “This attitude of the state administration is not correct. Let the chief secretaries come to the court. You bother only when we call them to the court.”
The apex court in September 2009 had ruled that no unauthorised construction shall be permitted in the name of temple, church, mosque or gurudwara on public streets, public parks or places.
For unauthorised construction of religious nature that had already taken place, the court said, state administration shall review on case-to-case basis and take appropriate action.
In 2011, the court had restrained state governments from granting permission to install statue or erect any structure on public roads, pavements and sideways and other public utility places.
Road blocks
- Ek Minar Masjid at Nampally.
- Hanuman Mandir at Jambagh.
- Dargah at Malakpet Railway Station junction.
- St. Antony’s at Mettuguda.
- Chilla at Begumpet.
- The Yellamma Renuka Devalayam at Secunderabad.
- Mosque at gudimalkapur.
- Hanuman temple on Bazarghat main road.
