The Varanasi district court has granted permission to the Hindu side to offer prayers at the southern cellar, also known as ‘Vyas Ka Tehkhana,’ inside the Gyanvapi mosque. The court’s decision comes after a plea by four Hindu women to the Supreme Court requesting the excavation and scientific survey of a sealed portion of the Gyanvapi mosque. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report, which concluded that a significant Hindu temple structure predated the mosque’s construction, played a crucial role in the court’s decision.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, stated, “…Puja will start within seven days. Everyone will have the right to perform Puja.” The court ordered the district magistrate to make arrangements for prayers within seven days and involve a priest nominated by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust. However, the Muslim side, represented by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, has expressed its intention to challenge the order in a higher court.
The Varanasi court’s decision has triggered mixed reactions, with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) rejecting the ASI findings. The AIMPLB emphasized that the ASI’s report is not “conclusive evidence” and accused Hindu communal organizations of misleading the public.
The ASI report, based on a comprehensive study of existing structures, artifacts, and inscriptions at the Gyanvapi site, concluded that there existed a large Hindu temple before the construction of the existing mosque in the 17th century. The report highlighted features such as the western wall of the mosque being part of an earlier Hindu temple, reused pillars and pilasters from the pre-existing temple in the present structure, and Sanskrit and Dravidian inscriptions dating from the 12th to 17th century.
The court’s decision to allow Hindu prayers at a specific area within the Gyanvapi mosque complex adds another chapter to the historical and religious complexities surrounding the site. The Gyanvapi mosque, located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, has been a subject of historical disputes, with claims and counterclaims by different religious communities over the centuries.
While the Varanasi court’s decision addresses a specific aspect related to prayers in the mosque complex, the broader issues of religious harmony, coexistence, and legal disputes over historical sites persist. The court’s order reflects the delicate balance that judicial authorities aim to maintain in addressing the concerns and sentiments of different religious communities while upholding the principles of law and justice.
As the legal proceedings continue, the Gyanvapi mosque case remains a symbol of the intricate interplay between history, archaeology, religious beliefs, and legal interpretations. The site holds immense cultural and religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims, and any legal resolution must navigate through these complexities to ensure a fair and just outcome. The challenges posed by such cases highlight the need for a nuanced approach that respects diversity, historical facts, and the principles of justice in addressing disputes related to religious sites.
