Lessons From Gyanvapi
The Times of India|September 14, 2022
Courts cannot offer solutions to all religious disputes. Communities must work out compromises
R Jagannathan
Lessons From Gyanvapi

The decision of a Varanasi district judge upholding the maintainability of a plea by some Hindu women to offer prayers to Shringar Gauri and other deities on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque is certainly not the final judicial word on the subject. The Muslim side will surely move the high court, and if they win there, the Hindu side will push higher for a different verdict in the Supreme Court. Or vice-versa. This is not a fight any side is going to give up easily.

The conclusion one should draw from this "win" for one side and "loss" for the other is that much more than just legal points are involved. When communities as a whole feel aggrieved for reasons related to religious emotion, legal remedies are suboptimal.

The only real solution is for the communities themselves to work out reasonable compromises based on give and take, and this implies that most "secular" politicians and even some "secular" historians - may not be able to help. They have anyway discredited themselves by taking partisan positions in the past.

But before we start looking for solutions, let us briefly outline the import of the initial orders of the court. District judge AK Vishvesha upheld the maintainability of the Hindu suit because: First, it did not ask for any change in the status of the land on which the mosque stands, and hence does not violate the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which freezes the status of religious places as they existed on August 15, 1947.

Second, it did not contravene Section 85 of the Waqf Act, 1995, which bars civil courts from entertaining lega proceedings against Waqf property.

Denne historien er fra September 14, 2022-utgaven av The Times of India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 14, 2022-utgaven av The Times of India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE TIMES OF INDIASe alt
Song and dance there, but where is Brazil's soul?
The Times of India

Song and dance there, but where is Brazil's soul?

From swooning over the twirling foot of Richarlison the other day, to fretting over the ankle of Neymar, it is back to business for Brazil. Gone is the exultation to dance and express themselves.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Marriott to reach 200-hotel mark in India by 2025 from current 134
The Times of India

Marriott to reach 200-hotel mark in India by 2025 from current 134

American hospitality major Marriott International — the group with the largest number of branded hotel rooms in India at about 26,000 — has drawn up very ambitious growth plans for the country.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
India's visually-impaired players dribble, debate on and off field
The Times of India

India's visually-impaired players dribble, debate on and off field

Take 20-year-old Shivam Negi for instance. A member of the national blind football team, Negi along with three other NIEVPD students is ardently following the matches by listening to live commentary.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
SIPS eating into luxe car sales: Merc
The Times of India

SIPS eating into luxe car sales: Merc

‘MF Investments Reducing Disposable Incomes Of Indians’

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Fury's Ground Xiro
The Times of India

Fury's Ground Xiro

Xi's zero-Covid policy has angered ordinary Chinese as never before. A dangerous moment for the state

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Trump faulted for dinner with white nationalist, rapper Ye
The Times of India

Trump faulted for dinner with white nationalist, rapper Ye

The sportswear manufacturer has also launched a probe into his conduct.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Blank sheets of paper become symbol of defiance
The Times of India

Blank sheets of paper become symbol of defiance

Chinese protesters have turned to blank sheets of paper to express their anger over Covid-19 restrictions.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Can't deny mediclaim to a vegetarian, insurer told
The Times of India

Can't deny mediclaim to a vegetarian, insurer told

Dietary Habit Not Patient’s Fault: Consumer Body

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Thakur: Will host 'grand Olympics' in Gujarat in future
The Times of India

Thakur: Will host 'grand Olympics' in Gujarat in future

Union sports minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said Gujarat will host a “grand Olympics” sporting event in the future.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Will restore old pension scheme in Guj: Kejriwal
The Times of India

Will restore old pension scheme in Guj: Kejriwal

He also urged government employees in the state to back AAP while promising implementation of the old pension scheme for them by January 31, 2022.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022