In a significant development, the Allahabad HC recently dismissed the appeal filed by the Gyanvapi Mosque committee challenging the Varanasi district court’s decision to allow Hindu prayers in the southern cellar, ‘Vyas Tehkhana,’ within the Gyanvapi mosque complex. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal pronounced the verdict, stating that there were no grounds to interfere with the district judge’s decision.
Table of Contents
Varanasi District Court’s Ruling
The Varanasi district court had earlier ruled on January 31 that the Hindu side could offer prayers in the ‘Vyas Tehkhana.’ This decision also directed the district magistrate to facilitate the arrangements for ‘puja’ and a nominated ‘pujari’ from the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust. Advocate Prabhash hailed the verdict as a “big victory of the Sanatana Dharma,” emphasizing the continuity of the ongoing puja in the Tehkhana.
Allahabad HC: Legal Battle Unfolds
Representing the Hindu side, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain highlighted that the Allahabad HC decision means that the puja in the Gyanvapi complex’s Tehkhana will persist. He also mentioned their readiness to file a caveat if the Anjuman Intezamia decides to approach the Supreme Court.
Gyanvapi Mosque Committee’s Challenge
The Gyanvapi Mosque committee, managed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, swiftly filed an appeal challenging the Varanasi court’s decision on February 1. This move followed the Supreme Court’s refusal to urgently hear the mosque committee’s plea, adding a layer of complexity to the legal dispute.
Dispute over Tehkhana Possession
The core of the dispute revolves around the possession of the ‘Vyas Tehkhana.’ While the mosque committee asserts its integral part of the mosque premises, the Hindu side argues that Until 1993, the Vyas family actively performed religious ceremonies in the basement of the Gyanvapi mosque.They claim to have discontinued these ceremonies in compliance with a directive from the state government.
Complex Ownership Dynamics
Among the four cellars in the Gyanvapi Mosque’s basement, one continues to be under the ownership of the Vyas family.The mosque committee argues that the ‘Vyas Tehkhana’ is under their possession and that neither the Vyas family nor anyone else has the right to worship inside it, intensifying the ownership dynamics in this legal battle.
Criticism from AIMIM President
Amidst the legal proceedings, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi voiced strong criticism, denouncing the Varanasi court’s decision as a “violation of the Places of Worship Act.” He raised concerns about the judge’s last day before retirement and questioned the basis of determining the absence of prayers inside the Tehkhana since 1993.
Ongoing Controversy
The Places of Worship Act, designed to prevent the conversion of any place of worship, has come under scrutiny in this controversy. As the legal battle unfolds, the Allahabad HC decision refusing to stay the ongoing puja inside the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque adds further complexity to the situation, leaving the future of this contested religious site in uncertainty.
In Conclusion
The Gyanvapi Mosque dispute, the Allahabad HC decision, while offering a momentary resolution, leaves a complex web of religious and legal intricacies. The tussle over the ‘Vyas Tehkhana’ reflects broader challenges in balancing religious sentiments with legal frameworks, with the Places of Worship Act facing scrutiny. Criticisms from AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi highlight the potential ramifications on religious harmony.
The path forward remains uncertain, with the dispute likely to persist through further legal avenues. As stakeholders navigate this contested terrain, the imperative lies in seeking resolutions that respect diverse beliefs, uphold legal principles, and foster communal understanding amid the historical and religious tapestry of Varanasi. The Gyanvapi Mosque dispute’s conclusion by the Allahabad HC raises questions about religious harmony, legal intricacies, and future resolutions.
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