(a) whether the Government is in receipt of information about the use of some religious institutions for spreading terrorism in the country;
(b) if so, the facts thereof;
(c) whether the Government propose to close down such institutions; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI L.K. ADVANI )
(a) to (d): A stastement is laid on the Table of the House.
(a)to(d) : No confirmed reports are available on use of religious places for spreading terrorism in the country. However, `The Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988 has been enacted to deal with such incidents. It prohibits the use of Religious Institutions for certain purposes, such as
(i) promotion or propagating of any political activity,
(ii) harbouring of any person accused or convicted of an offence under any law for the time being in force;
(iii) storing of any arms or ammunition
(iv) doing of any act which promotes or attempts to promote disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities
(v) carrying of any activity prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India etc.
As per the Constitution of India, `Public Order` and `Police` are State subjects and registration, investigation,, detection of crimes and prosecution are the primary concern of the State Governments.
The relevant provisions of existing law will be invoked whenever such instances come to light and the Security Agencies are alert on this.