In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, ( a) " Hindu" includes a person professing the Buddhist, ~ikh or Jama teligion ; .
(b) " place of pubhc worship" means a place, by whatever name known or to whomsoever belonging, which 1s dedicated to, or for the. benefit of, or 1s used generally by, Hmdus or any section or class thereof, for the performancr of any religious service or for offering prayers therem, and mcludes. all lands and subsidiary shrmes, mutts, devasthanams, namaskara mandapams and nalambalams, appurtenant or attached to any such place, and also any sacred tanks, wells, sprmgs and water courses the waters of which are worshipped, or are used for bathing or for worship, but does not include a " sreekoil " ;
(c) "sectiOn or class" 'mcludes any division, sub-division, caste, sub-caste, sect or denomination whatsoever. · . .