Republic Day

A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and P.S. Narasimha issued the notice on a plea filed by the Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Varanasi, against the Allahabad High Court's April order, which dismissed a petition challenging a Varanasi court's order to appoint an advocate as a Court Commissioner to inspect the Gyanvapi Masjid complex.

Assistant Advocate Commissioner, Ajay Pratap Singh, told reporters, "As per the orders of the court, the videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex took place from May 14 to May 16 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and its report was to be submitted to the court. However, we are not submitting the report in the court today since it is not yet ready.

The court, in its order, also said that only 20 Muslims should be allowed to pray at the mosque and they should not be allowed to perform wuzu (ablution) at that partcular place where the "shivling" has bee  found. The order was released following an application filed by advocate Hari Shankar Jain, representing the petitioners. The Hindu side has claimed that a "Shivling '' has been found in a pond at the Gyanvapi Masjid complex.

The Supreme Court will hear an appeal against the Allahabad High Court order which dismissed a petition challenging a Varanasi court's order to appoint an advocate as a court commissioner to inspect the Gyanvapi mosque complex. A bench comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and P.S. Narasimha will hear the plea filed by Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Varanasi.

The board termed the survey, its report and sealing of 'wuzu khana' as gross injustice to Muslims. In a statement issued late on Monday evening, the AIMPLB said the current situation created about the Gyanvapi mosque was completely unacceptable to Muslims and Gyanvapi "was a mosque and will continue to remain a mosque till the end".

Lawyer Vishnu Jain said he would go to the civil court to seek its protection. An advocate from the Hindu side, Madan Mohan Yadav, claimed that the shivling is Nandi faced. "The shivling is 12 feet by 8 inches in diameter," he added. Heavy security was deployed as the court-appointed committee reached the spot to conduct the survey on Monday. Nearly 65 per cent of the exercise was completed on Sunday.

Talking to the media, Jitendra Singh Vishen, Chief of Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh (VVSS), an organisation backing the Gyanvapi case, rubbished the news of Rakhi’s withdrawal from the case.  Following the court orders,  a team led by an advocate commissioner, on Friday and Saturday reached the Gyanvapi mosque complex for surveying the site. Following the court orders, a team led by an advocate commissioner, on Friday and Saturday reached the Gyanvapi mosque complex for surveying the site.

The grandeur of the majestic Rajpath in the heart of the national capital was a sight to watch. The celebrations commenced after PM Narendra Modi paid tribute at the national war memorial. President Ram Nath Kovind arrived, escorted by his bodyguards on their magnificent bay and dark bay-colored mounts.

Seated in the diplomatic lounge, it seemed tough for the French envoy to shoot the video while the French-made Rafale flew past Rajpath, but he did and shared it on social media.

The teeth-chattering cold on Wednesday morning failed to dampen the spirits of the people coming to witness the Republic Day parade at the majestic Rajpath, here. The people started arriving at the Rajpath as early as 5 a.m. in the morning, even as the parade begins at 10.30 a.m. However, this year the rush compared to previous years was less, possibly owing to the fear of the latest Omicron variant of novel coronavirus. Notably this is the second time India is celebrating the Republic Day in a subdued manner.