Gyanvapi Mosque Dispute: District Court To Continue Hearing On Maintainability Today

Five Hindu women have filed a plea seeking permission for daily worship of the Shringar Gauri Sthal in the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi complex.

Golden top of Hindu Vishwanath temple framed by Muslim Gyanvapi Mosque, disputed Hindu Muslim site (mosque was built over original temple in 1669).

Source : Getty Images/File Photo

New Delhi:  The district court will continue to hear arguments related to the maintainability of a plea by five Hindu women seeking permission for daily worship of the Shringar Gauri Sthal in the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi complex. The hearing will be a continuation of the arguments the court heard on May 26.  The Muslim side will continue to present its argument against the plea filed by the Hindu women, post which the petitioners will be heard by the court. 

The Muslim side has argued that the plea is not maintainable as the Places of Worship Act 1991 prohibits conversion of any place of worship and mandates the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947.

After the plea was filed, a lower court had ordered a videographic survey of the Gyanwapi complex, and the Hindu side claimed a 'Shivling' was found during the exercise.

Vishnu Jain, the advocate of the Hindu side, said Thursday, "The Shivling which was found in the Gyanvapi Masjid complex, was in custody of the Muslim side. They had first tampered with the Shivling which was clearly evident. We will raise the issue in the court", according to a PTI report. 

Jain said the Muslim side presented its side on Thursday. "We will get photos from the videography survey and the copy of the CD tomorrow (Friday)," Jain said.

Singh had earlier said the court has given one week to both Hindu and Muslim sides to file objections to the report of the court-mandated videography survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

On May 20, the Supreme Court had transferred the case from a civil judge (senior division) to a district judge, saying looking at the "complexities" and "sensitivity" of the issue, it is better if a senior judicial officer having an experience of over 25-30 years handles this case.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind passes resolution on Gyanvapi, Mathura cases

Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind passed resolutions on the Gyanvapi Masjid case of Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah mosque dispute of Mathura and Uniform Civil Code, urging all Muslims to shun fear and despair, and work for the betterment of their future.

In the resolution on the Gyanvapi Masjid and Mathura Idgah cases, the organisation expressed its "deep anguish at the attitude of the political parties who support the forces disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the country by repeatedly raising disputes over ancient shrines", the statement said.

"The country will not benefit from running campaigns to keep old controversies alive and in the name correcting the alleged excesses and mistakes of history."

"At present, such campaigns are going on against the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, and the historic Idgah of Mathura and other mosques, which have damaged the peace, dignity and integrity of the country," the resolution said.

It alleged, "By raising these controversies, opportunities are being created for communal clashes and negative politics of majority domination."

The resolution also referred to the Place of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991 and the Supreme Court's decision on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. 

(With PTI inputs)