A wave of tension grips the Gyanvapi Mosque premises as Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Siddiqullah Chowdhury issues a stern warning to Hindu worshippers to vacate immediately. Speaking at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind rally in Kolkata, Chowdhury’s remarks escalate the ongoing dispute over Hindu prayers being conducted in the southern cellar of the mosque.
Chowdhury’s statement, as reported by India Today, includes a warning directed at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, indicating that if Adityanath were to visit West Bengal, he would be prevented from leaving. The TMC leader’s call for the evacuation of Hindu worshippers is met with heightened tensions amid allegations of religious encroachment.
Expressing his dismay, Chowdhury questions the legitimacy of Hindu prayers within the mosque’s confines. “Why are they coming to worship in our mosques? We don’t go to any temple for prayer,” he asserts, emphasizing the sanctity of the Gyanvapi Mosque, which has stood for over 800 years. He vehemently opposes any attempts to convert the mosque into a temple, rallying against what he perceives as an infringement on religious freedom.
The controversy surrounding the Gyanvapi Mosque exacerbates as the Muslim side alleges collusion between the state government and Hindu parties involved in the case. Senior Advocate SFA Naqvi, representing the Muslim side, raises concerns during the hearing at the Allahabad High Court regarding the presence of the advocate general. Naqvi questions the advocate general’s role, insinuating potential ties between the plaintiff and the state.
In response, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal asserts that the advocate general was merely providing assistance, yet the presence of the state government in the proceedings remains contentious. The Allahabad High Court adjourns the hearing to February 12 amidst mounting tensions and accusations surrounding the legal proceedings.
The underlying dispute revolves around a plea challenging the Varanasi district court’s decision permitting Hindu prayers in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi Mosque. The district court’s ruling granted access for Hindu worshippers to conduct prayers before the idols within the mosque premises, sparking outrage and division within the community.
As the legal battle unfolds, religious sensitivities and political affiliations converge, fueling unrest and apprehension. The Gyanvapi Mosque dispute serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between religious freedoms and communal harmony, underscoring the need for judicious resolution and dialogue amidst polarizing circumstances.
