On Saturday(3rd August), The Varanasi court addressed a plea from Hindu petitioners, seeking to prevent Muslims from walking on the roof of Vyasji’s basement in the Gyanvapi mosque complex. Further hearings are scheduled for August 17, with concerns raised about the fragile condition of the roof and pillars.
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VARANASI: A Varanasi court addressed a plea from Hindu petitioners on Saturday(3rd August), requesting to stop Muslims from walking over the roof of Vyasji’s basement in the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
The court has scheduled further hearings on the matter for August 17.
During the hearing, representatives from the Muslim side were present, ready to present their arguments on the next date. The petitioners, represented by counsel Madan Mohan Yadav, emphasized the fragile state of the roof and pillars of Vyasji’s basement. Following a district court order, worship began at Vyasji’s basement on January 31, allowing devotees to view the idols installed there.
Yadav explained-
“The roof of Vyasji’s basement is quite old and deteriorating. Muslims walking on it for prayers is unsuitable due to the fragile condition of the roof and pillars, which poses a collapse risk.”
He further added-
“Therefore, the Hindu side has requested that Muslims be prohibited from walking on the roof and that essential repairs be made to the roof and pillars.”
After considering the concerns of the Hindu side, District Judge Sanjeev Pandey scheduled the next hearing for August 17.
The background of this case dates back to January 31, when the Varanasi district judge directed the local administration to facilitate Hindu worship rituals inside one of the sealed basements (Vyasji ka tehkhana) within the Gyanvapi mosque complex. This order followed six days after the court provided litigants with a copy of the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) report, which indicated that a Hindu temple existed at the site before the construction of the mosque.
The court specifically directed that a priest be allowed to perform puja in the southern cellar of the mosque complex, reaffirming the site’s significance for Hindu worshippers. The petitioners have raised concerns over the structural integrity of the roof and pillars, stressing the need for immediate repairs to ensure the safety of the devotees.
