The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, overseeing the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, has taken legal action by approaching the Allahabad High Court to challenge the Varanasi district court's decision permitting Hindus to conduct prayers in the southern cellar of the mosque.
Simultaneously, the Muslim side has filed a plea in the district court, seeking a 15-day stay on religious rituals inside the basement. In response, the Hindu side has filed a caveat, requesting the court to hear their stance before any orders are passed. Senior advocate S.F.A. Naqvi presented the matter before Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, who directed an urgent listing plea before the Registrar Listing.
An application has been filed accordingly, and the case is expected to be addressed promptly. This legal move follows the Supreme Court's refusal to urgently hear the plea from the Mosque Committee against the order allowing religious activities in Vyas Ji ka Tehkhana, situated in the southern cellar of the Mosque.
The Varanasi District Judge's directive mandated the district administration to make necessary arrangements within seven days for Hindus to perform worship rituals in one of the sealed cellars (Vyas Ji ka Tehkhana) within the existing Gyanvapi mosque complex. Worship at this location had been halted in 1993.
Following the court's order, District Magistrate M.S. Rajalingam, accompanied by government officials, entered the mosque complex through gate number 4 of the Kashi Corridor and spent around two hours inside. Rajalingam informed the media that the court's directive had been complied with upon leaving.
The mosque committee, in its application, argued that the administration's swift actions, carried out during the night following the Varanasi Court's order, were aimed at preempting any legal challenge by the mosque managing committee and were conducted in haste.
(With Agency Inputs)
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