Gyanvapi Mosque Dispute: Allahabad High Court to Hear Masjid Committee’s Challenge

In a significant development in the ongoing Gyanvapi mosque dispute, the Allahabad High Court is set to hear a challenge by the Gyanvapi Masjid Committee against a Varanasi district court’s decision. The Varanasi court had recently permitted Hindu devotees to offer prayers at the ‘Vyas Tehkana’ or the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi structure, marking the first such event in 31 years. The decision led to the performance of prayers late on Wednesday night, following the court’s order.

The Masjid Committee, represented by lawyers, sought an urgent hearing at the Supreme Court, which directed them to the high court, highlighting the controversial and urgent nature of the case. The Masjid Committee argues that the Varanasi district court’s order overlooks several critical aspects, including the Advocate Commissioner report of 2022, ASI’s report, and a 1937 decision, all of which they claim favor the Muslim side. They contend that the Hindu side failed to provide evidence of prayers being held before 1993. The committee also criticized the administration’s haste in executing the court’s order, suggesting it was an attempt to present a fait accompli and limit the mosque’s legal options.

This legal battle has sparked intense debate and is being closely watched, as it involves sensitive issues of religious rights and heritage conservation. The opening of the Vyas Tehkana for prayers, as allowed by the Varanasi court, has added a new dimension to the dispute, with the Muslim side expressing concerns over the implications of this decision on their rights and the historical status of the Gyanvapi mosque.

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