Lucknow: The Congress minority wing has launched a statewide campaign protesting violations of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, following the killing of four Muslim men after a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, ordered by a court in a lawsuit moved by a Hindu plaintiff. The campaign also criticises the judiciary’s perceived inaction on the issue.
The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, enacted by a Congress government, mandates that the religious character of places of worship as of August 15, 1947, must remain unchanged and bars legal challenges to this status. However, the law did not apply to the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case.
The campaign kicked off on December 6, the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid and death anniversary of Dalit icon Dr. B.R. Bhimrao, drawing symbolic parallels between the alleged violation of the Places of Worship Act and potential threats to other progressive laws like the Zamindari Abolition Act.
The initiative includes sending one lakh letters to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, urging accountability and action to uphold the Act. This campaign will conclude on December 22.
The party accused former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud of setting a dangerous precedent by entertaining petitions regarding the Gyanvapi Mosque.
‘Jeopardising communal harmony’
Congress leaders have raised serious concerns about the judiciary’s role in recent developments. Shahnawaz Alam, Congress national secretary, accused courts of accepting petitions challenging the status of mosques and other Islamic structures, labelling such moves as fostering communal unrest.
“By ignoring the provisions of the Places of Worship Act, the judiciary has allowed disputes like the Gyanvapi case to proliferate across the country, jeopardising communal harmony,” Alam said. He emphasised that the campaign seeks to compel the judiciary to enforce the law and protect the constitutional rights of India’s diverse communities.
Alam further alleged that threats to secularism come not from religious minorities but from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Congress leader Anil Yadav expressed concerns that reopening disputes over religious sites could extend to claims on Dalit-allocated lands, citing historical documents as potential tools for such claims.
‘A shift’
Political analysts note a noticeable tilt of Muslim and Dalit votes toward Congress after Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which emphasised social justice and inclusion. This shift is believed to have contributed to the Congress-led INDIA alliance securing 43 seats in the politically significant state of Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 general elections, compared to the BJP-led NDA’s 36 seats.
In 2024, Congress also improved its tally in Uttar Pradesh, winning six Lok Sabha seats, including strongholds like Rae Bareli and Amethi, compared to just one seat in 2019.
Muslims and Dalits, who respectively account for nearly 19% and 22% of Uttar Pradesh’s population, were once core supporters of Congress. However, the formation of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) by Kanshiram in the 1990s and the Babri Masjid demolition led to a shift in their loyalties. Dalits largely moved to the BSP, while Muslims gravitated toward the Samajwadi Party (SP). This split significantly weakened Congress, which had struggled to recover its influence in the state for over three decades.
Many believe that the Congress campaign to defend the Places of Worship Act of 1991 is a multi-faceted effort to address legal, social, and political issues. By targeting the judiciary’s perceived lapses and opposing the BJP’s policies, the party aims to position itself as a defender of constitutional values and minority rights.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav with Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Photo: X/yadavakhilesh
According to political commentator Kumar Bhawesh Chandra, however, the relationship between Congress and the SP has been strained, with the latter sidelining Congress in recent by-elections.
“The undeclared alienation of Congress from the SP cost the alliance dearly, as evident from SP’s underwhelming performance in by-polls,” Chandra said. The SP won only two out of nine seats in the by-elections held in November 2024, while the BJP emerged as the dominant force by winning six seats, and the Rashtriya Lok Dal managed to win one seat.
‘Votes will split’
He added that the return of Dalits and Muslims to Congress could significantly boost the party’s fortunes in the 2027 assembly elections. “Without Congress’s support, Muslim and Dalit votes will split, making it difficult for the SP to challenge the BJP.”
While some commentators opined that the campaign’s success remains uncertain, it signals Congress’s intent to rebuild its political base in Uttar Pradesh by re-engaging with Muslim and Dalit communities.
Veteran political analyst Syed Husain Afsar believes Congress has a two-year window to rejuvenate itself in Uttar Pradesh. He praised the campaign for addressing critical issues but cautioned that Congress must work consistently to regain trust. “Muslims and Dalits could return to Congress if it continues to champion their causes,” Afsar said.
He also noted that the Places of Worship Act campaign underscores a broader issue: the increasing trend of communal disputes. “If these controversies aren’t curbed, they could lead to widespread anarchy. Congress’s efforts are not just about political gains but also about preventing social unrest,” Afsar added.
However, Afsar acknowledged the scepticism among Muslims, pointing out Congress’s failure to protect the Babri Masjid in 1992 under P.V. Narasimha Rao’s government. He suggested that while Congress’s past mistakes may linger, its potential to counter the BJP’s divisive politics could attract Muslim voters in the future.
The campaign also highlights a vacuum in Dalit politics. Congress MP from Barabanki Tanuj Punia argued that BSP leader Mayawati’s reluctance to engage with grassroots issues has weakened her party’s connection with the masses. Similarly, Chandrashekhar Azad, the sole MP of the Azad Samaj Party (ASP), faces limitations in addressing widespread community concerns.
Punia emphasised that Congress, with its broader national presence, is better positioned to advocate for Dalit and Muslim rights. “Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra has already enhanced trust in Congress among these communities,” he said. Puniya went on to say that violation of the Places of Worship Act is perpetrating unrest in society, and Congress does not want incidents like Sambhal to repeat anywhere in the country.
