Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration.

1. (1) A protected monument maintained by the Government under this Act which is a place of worship or shrine shall not be used for any purpose inconsistent with its character.
2. (2) Where the Government has acquired a protected monument under section 13, or where the 1[Commissioner] has, purchased or taken a lease or accepted a gift or bequest, or assumed guardianship of, a protected monument under section 5, and such monument or any part thereof is used for religious worship or observances by any

community, the Deputy Commissioner shall make due provision for protection of

such monument or such part thereof, from pollution or desecration,-

1. (a) by prohibiting the entry therein, except in accordance with conditions prescribed with the concurrence of the persons, if any, in religious charge of the said monument or part thereof, of any person not entitled so to enter by the religious usages of the community by which the monument or part thereof is used, or
2. (b) by taking such other action as he may think necessary in this behalf.

¹ Substituted by Act 35 of 2024 w.e.f. 12.08.2024.