Section 13
Protection of place of worship from misuse, pollution or desecration.
The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904
About this Act
An Act to provide for the preservation of Ancient Monuments and of objects of archaeological, historical, or artistic interest.
(1) A place of worship or
shrine maintained by the Government under this Act shall not be used for any purpose inconsistent with its
character.
(2) Where the Collector has, under section 4, purchased or taken a lease of any protected monument, or has accepted a gift or bequest, or the Commissioner has, under the same section, accepted the guardianship thereof, and such monument, or any part thereof, is periodically used for religious worship or observances by any community, the Collector shall make due provision for the protection of such monument or such part thereof, from pollution or desecration--
(a) by prohibiting the entry therein, except n accordance with conditions prescribed with the concurrence of the persons 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
(b) by taking such other action as he may think necessary in this behalf.
(2) Where the Collector has, under section 4, purchased or taken a lease of any protected monument, or has accepted a gift or bequest, or the Commissioner has, under the same section, accepted the guardianship thereof, and such monument, or any part thereof, is periodically used for religious worship or observances by any community, the Collector shall make due provision for the protection of such monument or such part thereof, from pollution or desecration--
(a) by prohibiting the entry therein, except n accordance with conditions prescribed with the concurrence of the persons 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
(b) by taking such other action as he may think necessary in this behalf.