[SHOCKING] Judge Who Ordered Gyanvapi Videography Survey Reports Receiving Calls from International Numbers

Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court I) Ravi Kumar Diwakar, who had passed an order to conduct a videography survey of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi complex in 2022, has complained of getting calls from international numbers, police said Today (April 25th).

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Uttar Pradesh: Additional Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar, presiding over Fast Track Court I, who issued a directive for a videography survey of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi in 2022, has reported receiving unsettling calls from international phone numbers, according to police reports of Today.

The Senior Superintendent of Police in Bareilly, Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan, confirmed receiving a correspondence from Judge Diwakar detailing his concerns. In his letter, Judge Diwakar explained that the mysterious calls began on April 15 at 9:45 PM, with the first call coming from an unidentified international number. Despite not answering the call, Judge Diwakar noted that the calls have persisted, prompting him to seek police intervention.

As a result, the cyber cell alongside the Kotwali police have been tasked with investigating these incidents. Judge Diwakar, known for his stringent rulings, has a notable judicial record including the issuance of death sentences to eight individuals in Bareilly.

Furthermore, he took suo motu action in the 2018 Bareilly riots case, leading to the summoning of the alleged mastermind, cleric Tauqeer Raza, to stand trial. This background underscores the seriousness with which the current threats are being treated.

BACKGROUND

The longstanding and contentious dispute between the Hindu and Muslim communities over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has roots in the historical claim that the site was originally home to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Hindus, particularly devotees of Lord Shiva, assert that the mosque was constructed following the demolition of the ancient temple, advocating for the temple’s reconstruction at the same location. This belief is supported by a wealth of historical evidence, including narratives from historians and contemporary travelers, reinforcing the claim that the mosque was established on the temple’s ruins.

In recent years, efforts have been made to examine the historical and archaeological records more thoroughly to ascertain the Gyanvapi Mosque’s origins and its link to the erstwhile temple. The involvement of respected bodies such as the Archaeological Survey of India has been pivotal in scrutinizing the site’s historical context and architectural features, shedding light on its past.

Historical records and scholarly research confirm that the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple stood in Varanasi, a revered Hindu pilgrimage site. Tragically, it was destroyed during the 17th century under the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, allowing for the construction of what is now the Gyanvapi Mosque on its hallowed grounds.

The Place of Worship Act, 1991, enacted by the P.V. Narasimha Rao government on September 18, 1991, plays a critical role in preserving the religious and cultural integrity of India’s worship sites by prohibiting their conversion and maintaining their religious character as of August 15, 1947. Notably, the Ram Lalla Janmabhoomi case is an exception within this law.

This legal case, which involved the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, led to a pivotal court decision allowing the construction of a Hindu temple, a ruling that not only dealt with legal complexities but also addressed deep-seated religious sentiments and historical claims. It underscores the legislation’s role in fostering peaceful resolutions to complex disputes over places of worship.

Critics argue that the Act restricts the fundamental right to judicial review and infringes upon the religious freedoms of Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus by potentially hindering their ability to practice their faith freely. The ongoing legal challenges to the Act highlight a broader debate over the balance between religious freedom, historical preservation, and constitutional principles, signaling a significant judicial reckoning where the compatibility of the Act with constitutional guarantees and religious freedoms must be evaluated.

The narrative of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple’s destruction and the subsequent erection of the Gyanvapi Mosque has been a saga of faith and heritage, sparking a legal battle initiated by a 1991 petition from Hindus seeking to rectify a historical wrong.

This legal struggle, imbued with deep religious and cultural significance, exemplifies the challenges of balancing historical facts, legal arguments, and community sensitivities within the framework of constitutional protections.

This ongoing legal and historical inquiry into India’s sacred sites underscores the complexities of addressing past injustices and fostering religious harmony. The quest for justice at the Gyanvapi site continues to resonate, driven by a steadfast commitment to uncovering historical truth and achieving reconciliation.

Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Gyanvapi

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