The Supreme Court on Tuesday said public safety was paramount and that any religious structure encroaching upon a road, water bodies, or rail tracks must go.
Further, the court underlined that India was a secular country, and its directions for bulldozer action and anti-encroachment drives would apply to all citizens, irrespective of their religion.
Whether it be a temple or a dargah, it has to go. Public safety is paramount,” the top court bench headed by Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan said. The bench was hearing petitions challenging bulldozer action against people accused of crimes.
Meanwhile, the state authorities using bulldozer action against the accused have maintained that only illegal constructions are being demolished in such cases.
For the appellants, the States of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh were represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
We are a secular country, and our directions will be for all, irrespective of religion or community. Of course, for encroachment, we have said… if it is on a public road, footpath, water body, or railway line area, it has to go. Public safety is paramount.
If there is any religious structure in the middle of the road, be it a gurudwara, dargah, or temple, it cannot obstruct the public,” the court said.
