With orders on Varanasi mosque, judiciary is paving the path to a majoritarian India – By Apoorvanand
When we look back at how the path for majoritarianism was paved in India, the role of the judiciary will be intensely discussed. Two recent moves by the courts are likely to garner some attention.
The Supreme Court’s decision on March 12 to entertain the plea challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, is yet another instance of its willingness to give a legal cover to the majoritarian drive undertaken by the organisations belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ecosystem.
This was followed by an order of a district court in Varanasi on April 8, in response to a petition, directing the Archaelological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque to determine whether it was superimposed on a pre-existing temple. Are we going to witness a replay of the masterly act done in the name of restoring Ram Janambhoomi temple at the site of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya?…