Supreme Court Dismisses PIL Seeking Ban On Construction Or Naming Of Mosques After Babur Or Babri Masjid
From the Editor's Desk
The Supreme Court on Friday turned down a public interest litigation that sought a blanket ban across the country on the construction or naming of any mosque or religious structure after Babur or "Babri Masjid".
A Division bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta refused to entertain the petition.
During the course of the hearing, the petitioner's counsel contended that no mosque should be built or named after Babur, whom he called an "invader". It was further argued that Babur had referred to Hindus as "slaves", and that those allegedly involved in such activities should be held accountable.
The PIL sought a sweeping direction to prevent authorities from allowing the construction or naming of any mosque after Babur or Babri Masjid anywhere in India. When the Court signalled its reluctance to take up the matter, the petitioner chose to withdraw the petition, and it was accordingly dismissed as withdrawn.
The case comes in the backdrop of a recent controversy triggered by Humayun Kabir, a former Trinamool Congress member, who announced plans to construct a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
It may be recalled that in its landmark November 2019 verdict that paved the way for the construction of the Ram Mandir at the disputed site in Ayodhya, the Supreme Court had described the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid as an egregious violation of the rule of law. The Court had also directed that an alternate plot of five acres be allotted at a prominent location in Ayodhya for the rebuilding of the mosque.
Case Title: DEVKINANDAN @ DEVKI NANDAN PANDEY Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.,
Case No.: W.P.(C) No. 63/2026
Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta
