You are recently posted as District Magistrate in a district, which is a major hub of industrial activities and attracts workers from different places and communities. The workers of these industries often utilize the open spaces on roads for performing their daily prayers, though only for a short period of time. The lack of a place of worship close to the work places, is cited as the reason for continuance of this practice. However, some residents of nearby areas have been objecting to this practice due to the inconvenience caused by congestion on the roads. There have also been complaints of alleged illegal encroachments over public land in garb of this practice. One day, you are informed that a group of locals disrupted the workers at the time of worship. The incident led to clashes between several groups and a law and order problem has arisen in the district. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) What are the options available before you? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each one of them. (b) What course of action would you choose and why?

(a) Options available are following:

(I) Arrest locals and allow workers to pray on road

Merits → Religious freedom under Art 25 preserved → Violence is punished → Workers' worship rights protected

Demerits → Perception of partiality towards one party → Support for Art 25 vs Art 21 → Rights of public to use road is affected → Chances of long-term clashes → Further intolerance and Xenophobia

(II) Ensure workers do not pray on road

Merits → Right of public to use roads preserved → Law and order is maintained

Demerits → Right of worship of workers affected → Lack of empathy and compassion to workers → Workers are punished for administrative failure to build place of worship → Workers may strike affecting local economy

(b) I will choose option III which is discussed below.

(III) Convince the factories to put together funds and set up place of worship given in gram panchayat land acceptable to local.

Merits → Workers get a proper place of worship (Art 25 preserved) → Long term solution to clashes between locals and outsiders → Factories contribute for workers welfare through CSR → Better communal harmony as locals have provided land for workers place of worship → Rule of law maintained - as right of public to use road is preserved → Satisfies the principle of Lokasangraha → Better worker motivation and productivity

Demerits → Factories foot expense for personal worship of workers