Gyanvapi Mosque: Commencement of Hearing of Muslim Side’s Argument in Gyanvapi Mosque

Shivani Thakur

Published on: May 30, 2022 at 19:17 IST

Varanasi District Court heard arguments on the maintainability of a Plea by five Hindu women seeking permission for daily worship of the Shringar Gauri Sthal in the Gyanvapi Mosque complex.

During the hearing, the Muslim side argued against the maintainability of the Plea, District Government Counsel Rana Sanjiv Singh said. The counsel for the Hindu side, Vishnu Shankar Jain, categorically stated that the report on the videography survey of the complex will be made available to all parties.

The survey was conducted earlier this month on the orders of a lower court.

A fast-track court hearing the plea seeking permission to allow worship of the “Shivling” claimed to be found during the videograpgy survey in the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex.

The Court said the original copy of the Petition will be made available to all parties.

General secretary of the Vishwa Vaidik Sangh on May 24 had submitted a plea in the Civil Court urging a ban on the entry of Muslims to the Gyanvapi Mosque’ complex, handing over the complex to Hindus, and allowing worship of the “Shivling.”

District Judge AK Vishvesh on May 25 had sent the matter to a fast-track court for hearing on May 30.

The Muslim side has argued that this Petition is not maintainable as the Places of Worship Act, 1991 prohibits conversion of any place of worship and mandates Maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it was on 15^th August, 1947.

After the Plea was filed, the Hindu side had claimed a “Shivling” was found during the exercise.

The Muslim side has maintained that the object was part of the water fountain mechanism at the “Wazookhana” reservoir—where devotees carry out ablutions before offering Namaz.

The Supreme Court had transferred the case from a Civil Judge to a District Judge, saying looking at the “complexities” and “sensitivity” of the issue, it is better if a Senior Judicial Officer with an experience of over 25-30 years handles this case.

The Court next hear the case on July 8.