The Supreme Court on Thursday announced a temporary halt to ongoing surveys of places of worship, including mosques, while hearing petitions challenging provisions of the Places of Worship Act. This decision affects surveys that claim certain mosques were built over demolished Hindu temples, such as the Gyanvapi Mosque, Mathura Shahi Idgah, and Sambhal Masjid. The Court also directed lower courts to refrain from passing any interim or final orders in related cases until the next hearing in four weeks.

The main petition, filed four years ago by BJP’s Subramanian Swamy, challenges provisions of the Places of Worship Act, which prohibits lawsuits aimed at reclaiming places of worship or altering their character as it existed on August 15, 1947. Other petitions support enforcement of the Act, including those by MPs and political parties like the NCP, RJD, and DMK.

This temporary pause comes amid rising tensions in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, where violent clashes broke out last month during a court-ordered survey of a mosque. Five people were killed in the communal violence. The Supreme Court had earlier intervened in this case, halting further action and directing the mosque authorities to approach the Allahabad High Court. This violence sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party and Congress accusing the BJP of attempting to demolish a mosque built in the 16th century, based on claims it was constructed over a Hindu temple.

Meanwhile, the controversy escalated when district officials prevented a delegation of Samajwadi Party MPs, as well as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, from visiting the families of the victims. The authorities cited potential “law and order” issues, and tense scenes ensued as the Congress leaders attempted to breach police barricades.

The Supreme Court’s directive will remain in effect until it hears the government’s response to petitions against the Places of Worship Act, which is expected in four weeks.