Observing the upcoming ceremony of birth of Jesus Christ on the holy day, the honourable apex court has ordered Manipur government to apprise the Supreme Court-appointed committee of the steps taken to ensure places of worship in the volatile state where ethnic skirmishes have claimed more than 170 lives since May. Court also enlarged the duration of the committee by six months.
Christmas a day known for sharing love, peace and harmony across the globe is widely celebrated in Manipur among different communities particularly among hill tribes. Currently these communities are taking shelter inside the relief camps since May because of constant ethnic clashes. Religious structures are been degraded by rogue communal groups during the clashes therefore, Supreme Court has intervened in appointing a panel to look into the matter closely.
Reportedly, a supreme court bench leaded by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was recognizing the issue of securing peace in places of worship, as the state government earlier filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, thereby religious sanctums have been identified and secured. Identification of worship places shall cover all religious denominations regardless of the structures which have been destroyed during the clashes. The prolonged violence has taken lives and posed devastation to the living habitants in the state. Furthermore, it has created an uncertainty among different tribes and communities with respect to their religious belongingness. Multiple religious grounds, structures, shrines and denominations has been broken down by agitated ethnic mob.
Hence, Constitutional bench consisted of Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra stated that the government of Manipur shall within a period of two weeks furnish to the court appointed committee a comprehensive list following the exercise of identification of all religious denominations which has been carried out.Further Bench said based on the list, the court appointed committee will create an encompassing proposal to take necessary steps in order to safeguarding worship places.
Bench also clarified about the committee which will have the freedom to inspect a wide range of issues including illegal encroachment and occupation of places of public worship while dealing with supervening construction. Committee will be at liberty to formulate and present its report before the court so that a required order can be undertaken.
Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, voice of Meitei Christian Churches Counsil, requested the court to direct the state to formulate suitable arrangements so that Christian community could congregate their religious ceremony on 25 December.Bench informed that with the cooperation of Manipur government and Director General of Police the committee could undertake needed actions without further delay.
Due to upcoming Christmas celebration, there will be mass gathering and celebration will be jointly celebrated by people belonging to various communities who are living in relief camps of Manipur. Hence, justices are being vocal on emphasizing the need of restoring peace in public worship.Notably, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati have reinforced and assured the court for securing relief camps to enjoy the upcoming ceremony across the strife ridden state.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, has given previous example of celebrating Diwali with the supervision of honourable supreme court now also on Christmas ceremony peace will be prioritised in the state. Bhati told the bench that “Herculean efforts” were being initiated both by Centre and the state to put forward their coordination regarding the restoration process.
