Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged the Muslim society to come forward and offer a solution for the ongoing Gyanvapi mosque dispute. The comments were made amidst the Allahabad High Court’s hearing of a petition by the mosque committee, challenging a lower court’s order for an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey inside the mosque complex. The dispute centres around the identification and use of the Gyanvapi mosque, located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
Historical Mistake: Yogi Adityanath believes that a historical mistake was made regarding the Gyanvapi mosque, and he calls for the Muslim society’s involvement in finding a solution. The mosque has become a subject of contention due to claims of the presence of Hindu religious artefacts inside the complex.
Potential Dispute: The Chief Minister suggests that referring to Gyanvapi as a mosque could lead to a dispute. He points out the presence of a trident (trishul) and dev pratimas (idols) inside the mosque, which raises questions about its identity and historical significance.
Need for Proposal: Adityanath emphasises the need for a proposal from the Muslim society to address the historical mistake and find a solution to the dispute surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque.
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Asaduddin Owaisi’s Response: Asaduddin Owaisi, Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader, criticises Yogi Adityanath’s statement as judicial overreach. He highlights the ongoing legal challenge by the Muslim side against the ASI survey and suggests that the Chief Minister’s remarks may influence the judgement.
Gyanvapi Mosque Controversy: The Gyanvapi mosque gained attention in 2021 when a group of women sought permission to worship deities within the Gyanvapi complex. During a video survey ordered by the court, an object resembling a shivling was discovered, leading to conflicting claims about its origin and significance.
Legal Proceedings: The matter has been taken to the Supreme Court, and earlier this year, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the mosque committee’s petition challenging the maintainability of the request to worship Hindu deities inside the premises. Additionally, the Varanasi district court ordered an ASI survey based on a separate petition by four of the women involved in the case.
The Gyanvapi mosque dispute continues to be a contentious issue, with differing claims about its historical origins and religious significance. Yogi Adityanath’s call for the Muslim society to offer a solution underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding religious and historical disputes in India. The pending court judgement is likely to be crucial in determining the future course of the Gyanvapi mosque controversy.
