Varanasi Court granted permission for Hindu worshippers to conduct prayers within the sealed underground section of the Gyanvapi mosque. According to the judicial ruling, Hindu followers are now authorized to perform their religious rituals at ‘Vyas Ka Tekhana’, a previously inaccessible area within the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.
On Wednesday a Varanasi court has issued a directive that profoundly impacts the religious practices at the Gyanvapi Mosque. The court’s order, a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal tussle over the mosque’s premises, specifically addresses the rights to conduct religious rituals in the mosque’s southern cellar.
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The court’s directive, as articulated in the order, is clear and categorical:
“District Magistrate, Varanasi / receiver is directed to get puja, raga-blog performed of the idols located inside that the basement situated on the south side of the building which is the suit property, by the priest named by the Kashi Vishwanath Trust Board and the plaintiff. For this purpose, make proper arrangements of iron fencing etc. within 7 days.”
This instruction not only grants permission for Hindu rituals in the mosque’s basement but also mandates the creation of a conducive environment for these practices, emphasizing the need for iron fencing and other necessary arrangements to be completed within a week.
The legal proceedings leading to this decision have been intricate, with both sides presenting their arguments and applications. The court acknowledged the ongoing legal process, noting,
“The defendant has filed an application paper no. 57C under Order 7 Rule 11D Civil Procedure Code, for disposal of this application. The file should be presented on 08.02.2024. Meanwhile, the plaintiff can present objections.”
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This statement from the court highlights the procedural aspects of the case, indicating the complexities involved and the opportunity for both parties to present their perspectives and objections.
Representing the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi Mosque, Advocate Akhlaque Ahmad presented a strong argument against the plea for Hindu worship in the mosque’s cellar. Ahmad’s contention was firmly rooted in the religious identity and sanctity of the mosque. He argued,
“The cellar is a part of the Gyanvapi mosque. So worship could not be performed. Therefore, puja should not be allowed.”
This argument underscores the mosque committee’s stance that the cellar, being an integral part of the mosque, should not be used for Hindu rituals, as it goes against the mosque’s Islamic character.
This case is emblematic of the broader, ongoing religious and cultural debates in India, particularly concerning historical sites and their current religious affiliations. The court’s decision to allow Hindu rituals in the Gyanvapi Mosque’s cellar is not just about a single location; it resonates with larger questions about religious rights, historical narratives, and the legal frameworks governing places of worship in India. The outcome of this case, along with similar disputes in other parts of the country, is likely to have significant implications for India’s religious and social landscape.
