All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the central government over a rise in petitions claiming temples beneath mosques across India. He alleged that the ruling party has an “invisible hand” in fueling such disputes through various organizations.
In a post on X, Owaisi expressed concern about the impact of these actions on the nation’s unity and progress.
“The people of India are being pushed into fights over history where none existed. No nation can become a superpower if 14 per cent of its population faces such constant pressures. Behind every ‘Vahini,’ ‘Parishad,’ ‘Sena,’ etc., there is the invisible hand of the ruling party. They have a duty to defend the Places of Worship Act and put an end to these false disputes,” he wrote.
Rising Tensions Over Religious Sites
The issue has sparked communal tensions, with recent disputes further escalating the situation.
In Sambhal, clashes erupted following a local court’s order on November 19 to survey the Jama Masjid. The survey was initiated after a petition claimed that the mosque’s site was originally a Harihar temple. The resulting protests led to violent confrontations, resulting in four deaths.
Similarly, in Ajmer, a civil suit alleged the existence of a Shiva temple at the dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti. Advocate Yogesh Siroja stated that notices were issued to three parties—the Dargah Committee, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
“I am a descendant of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, but I have not been made a party to it. We are in touch with our legal team,” Siroja said.
These incidents have raised concerns about the potential for heightened communal tensions and the politicization of religious sites.
Owaisi’s Call to Action
Owaisi urged the central government to uphold the Places of Worship Act, which seeks to maintain the status quo of religious places as of August 15, 1947. He called for an end to disputes that he believes are rooted in divisive politics.