GET RID OF ILLEGAL SHRINES: SUPREME COURT TO STATES
Bhadra Sinha
Taking exception to states’ dilly-dallying on the removal of illegal religious structures, the Supreme Court threatened to summon the respective chief secretaries if they failed to comply with directions to remove or relocate places of worship built on public land.
On September 27, 2009, the SC had ordered there should be no unauthorised religious structures on roads, pavements or other public places, as they were inconvenience to people. In its order, the apex court had put the onus on chief secretaries’ to ensure no further construction took place. The court said the states should deal with existing structures on individual basis after hearing the parties concerned.
From the affidavits, it transpired none of the States have taken effective methods to abide by the Supreme Court order.
(Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 15, 2010)