Gyanvapi Case: SC Says ‘Wazukhana’ To Be Cleaned Under Supervision Of Varanasi Admin

The Supreme Court said that the wazukhana should be cleaned under the supervision of Varanasi administration.

Gyanvapi Case: SC Says ‘Wazukhana’ To Be Cleaned Under Supervision Of Varanasi Admin

Source : PTI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that the 'wazukhana' area in the Gyanvapi mosque complex should be cleaned under the supervision of Varanasi district administration. The apex court's directions came on an application by the Hindu side seeking cleaning of the entire area of ‘wazukhana’ of Gyanvapi mosque where the ‘Shivling’ was found, and maintaining hygienic condition.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC) which manages the Gyanvapi mosque had also requested the district magistrate to make arrangements for proper cleaning of the tank and drainage of water at the earliest, according to an IANS report. 

The said portion was sealed on the order of a local court in May 2022 and the AIMC had informed the district magistrate through a letter that most of the fish in the water tank are dead. 

“There were many fish in the hauz in wuzukhana of Gyanvapi mosque when the portion was sealed on the order of a court. Most of the fish are dead, due to which, foul smell is spreading around," SM Yasin, joint secretary of the AIMC, as per the IANS report. 

“As the water tank is in the sealed portion, it has not been cleaned, nor water drained. As a result, most of the fish have died and foul smell is spreading around which could lead to spread of a disease. If disease spreads it may affect the CRPF jawans deployed there, worshippers and visitors to the Vishwanath temple as well,” read the letter written by Mufti-e-Banaras and secretary of Anjuman Intejamia Masjid, Abdul Batin Nomani.

The administrative officials were informed about the presence of fish inside the tank when the wuzukhana was sealed on the order of the court, Yasin said. 

They were told that their feed, water, and cleanliness were arranged by the AIMC and that it would not be possible after the portion was sealed. 

Despite the information, no arrangements were made for the fish, the report added. 

Yasin said that before sealing the portion, the AIMC used to ensure that water in the tank was changed from time to time and the fish were fed daily.