The Allahabad High Court declined the Gyanvapi Mosque committee’s request for an interim stay on the performance of Puja in the southern cellar, also known as Vyas Tehkhana, within the mosque premises.
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In a significant development surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque, the Allahabad High Court has made a pivotal decision regarding the ongoing dispute over worship practices within the mosque’s premises.
Court’s Ruling on Worship in the Mosque’s Cellar
The Allahabad High Court recently addressed a plea from the Gyanvapi Mosque committee, which sought an interim stay on Hindu prayers being conducted in the mosque’s southern cellar, known as Vyas Tehkhana. The court declined to grant this stay, instead instructing the state government to ensure the maintenance of law and order in the area. This decision follows a directive from the Varanasi District Judge, which ordered the District Magistrate to facilitate Hindu worship in this part of the mosque, marking a continuation of religious practices that had been halted since 1993.
The operative part of the Varanasi Court’s order was highlighted as follows:
“District Magistrate, Varanasi / receiver is directed to get puja, raga-blog performed of idols located in the southern cellar of #GyanvapiMosque (suit property), through a priest nominated by Kashi Vishwanath Trust Board & plaintiff. For this purpose, make proper arrangements of iron fencing etc. in 7 days.”
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
The mosque committee’s appeal was a response to the Varanasi District Court’s order, which had not been directly challenged until now. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, presiding over the matter, refused interim relief to the mosque committee but allowed them until February 6 to amend their appeal. This legal maneuvering comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s refusal to urgently hear the mosque committee’s plea against the Varanasi court’s decision, directing them to the high court instead.
Varanasi’s Response to the Court Order
The Varanasi District Court’s ruling has had a tangible impact on the city, particularly in Muslim-dominated areas. A bandh was observed in several market areas, with shops closing and additional police forces being deployed to maintain peace. The call for the bandh, issued by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, aimed at a peaceful observance of Friday namaz amidst the heightened security presence. The committee issued a statement urging for peace and cooperation:
“It appealed for the closure of the markets and asked people to offer namaz peacefully. It advised Muslim women to remain in their houses.”
The Significance of Vyas Tehkhana
The dispute centers around Vyas Tehkhana, a section of the Gyanvapi mosque where Hindu worship had been conducted until 1993. The recent court orders have reignited discussions about the rights to worship in this historically contentious space, reflecting the complex interplay of religion, law, and community relations in Varanasi.
Conclusion
The Allahabad High Court’s decision not to stay Hindu prayers in the Gyanvapi mosque’s cellar marks a critical moment in the ongoing dispute over the site. As the situation evolves, the court’s directives and the community’s response will continue to shape the discourse around religious rights and the preservation of law and order in one of India’s most historically rich cities.
