'Going On The Same Path As That Of Babri Masjid Issue': Owaisi On Gyanvapi Mosque Case Verdict

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi stated in a press conference hours after the verdict in the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri case that "we're continuing on the same path as that of the Babri masjid issue."

After a Varanasi court rejected the plea of the Muslim side questioning the maintainability of a petition seeking permission for daily worship of Hindu deities inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the matter was going on the same path as that of the Babri Masjid issue, ANI reported.

Addressing a press conference, Owaisi said the order would lead to a "destabilising effect" and pressed for an appeal in the High Court.

"There should be an appeal in High Court against this order. I hope Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee will appeal against this order. I believe that after this order, the purpose of the Places of Worship Act 1991 will fail," the AIMIM chief said.

"A destabilising effect will start after this. We're going on the same path as that of the Babri masjid issue. When judgement on Babri Masjid was given, I warned everyone that this will create problems in the country as this judgement was given on the basis of faith," ANI quoted Owaisi as saying. 

In a landmark verdict in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi title dispute, the Supreme Court in 2019 paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Merajuddin Siddiqui, the advocate representing the Muslim side, said that they would move the Allahabad High Court against the judgment. "We had petitioned that the case listed was not worth hearing. Our plea was denied today. We will approach the High Court now. Case has just started, it will go on," ANI quoted Mohd Sameem, advocate of the Muslim side, as saying.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had said the Gyanvapi mosque was a Waqf property and had questioned the maintainability of the plea of the Hindu side.

However, District Judge AK Vishvesh ordered that it would continue to hear the petition seeking the right to worship in the temple.

Five women had filed a petition seeking permission for daily worship of Hindu deities whose idols are claimed to be located on an outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque. The women's petition will be heard on September 22.

The district administration had issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in Varanasi since Sunday in view of the court order on the sensitive issue.