Adityanath Contests Calling Gyanvapi A Mosque, Owaisi Calls CM's Remark 'Judicial Overreach'

Adityanath’s remark comes at a time when a hearing is underway at Allahabad High Court on a petition filed by the Muslim side challenging the lower court’s order for a survey inside the mosque.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday stirred up a controversy after he said that there would be a dispute if Gyanvapi is called a mosque and that Muslims should admit it as a “historical mistake”. The UP CM claimed that a trishul (trident) and idols of gods are inside the mosque premises and that the walls of the complex are screaming and saying something. He also said that the Muslim society should come up with a proposal for a “solution” to their mistake. 

Adityanath’s remark comes at a time when a hearing is underway at Allahabad High Court on a petition filed by the Muslim side challenging the lower court’s order for a survey inside the mosque by the Archaeological Survey of India. The court is expected to deliver its judgment in the matter on august 3. 

“If we call it a mosque, there will be a dispute,” said the UP CM in a podcast with news agency ANI Editor Smita Prakash. 

“I feel whoever has been blessed with sight by God, that person should see. What is a trishul (trident) doing inside a mosque. We did not put it there. There is a jyotirlinga, dev pratimas (idols)," he said. 

"The walls are screaming and saying something. I feel there should be a proposal from the Muslim society that there has been a historical mistake and we need a solution," he added. 

Responding to Adityanath’s statement, All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the matter is in court and called it “judicial overreach.”

 "CM Yogi knows that the Muslim side has opposed ASI survey in Allahabad High Court and the judgement will be given in a few days, still he gave such a controversial statement, this is judicial overreach..." said the Hyderabad MP. 

On July 24, the Supreme Court halted the ASI survey till 5pm on Wednesday. The next day, Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, the body responsible for managing the Gyanvapi mosque approached the Allahabad High Court, which sustained the stay on the survey till the pronouncement of verdict on August 3.