The Gyanvapi masjid committee has taken legal action against the Varanasi district court’s decision, filing a challenge in the Allahabad High Court. The dispute arises from the court’s ruling permitting Hindu worshippers to conduct puja in the ‘Vyas Tehkana’ of the Gyanvapi structure. The Muslim side contends that the order failed to consider significant pieces of evidence that favor their claim, including the Advocate Commissioner report of 2022, findings by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and a decision from 1937.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, lawyers representing the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee sought an urgent hearing from the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court registrar directed them to approach the high court for resolution.
The Muslim side criticizes the administration’s actions, especially the late-night opening of ‘Vyas Tehkana.’ They argue that the administration, in collusion with the plaintiffs, rushed the process to prevent the Mosque Managing Committee from seeking remedies against the court’s order.
The Varanasi court’s judgment, delivered on Wednesday, granted Hindu devotees permission to offer prayers inside the ‘Vyas Ka Tekhana’ area within the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The court instructed the district administration to make the necessary arrangements within the next seven days.
Following the court’s decision, the ‘Vyas Tahkhana’ was opened after 31 years, and prayers were conducted. The mosque’s four ‘tahkhanas’ (cellars) in the basement include Vyas Tahkhana, which is believed to have belonged to the Vyas family.
Aarti ceremonies for Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh were performed after cleaning the cellar. Additionally, videos circulated on social media showing the Hindu side affixing temple stickers to a signboard of the Gyanvapi mosque.
In response, the Hindu side, represented by lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, posted the timings for daily aarti at the tahkhana, emphasizing that prayers would be offered five times a day. The specified timings are 3.30 am, 12 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm, and 10.30 pm.
The situation remains tense, with both sides presenting their arguments and seeking legal remedies in this long-standing and sensitive religious dispute.
