Gyanvapi Case: Varanasi court dismisses Masjid Committee’s plea, says Hindu worshippers’ suit maintainable

The Varanasi District Court in Uttar Pradesh on Monday ruled that the petition of Hindu devotees in the Gyanvapi Mosque case is maintainable, rejecting the challenge to the petition by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee. Hindu petitioners have sought permission for daily prayers before the idols on outer walls of the Gyanvapi mosque.

The Muslim petitioners had challeged the maintainability of the Hindu petitioners’ plea, arguing that it was not maintainable under the Places of Worship Act 1991 which prohibits conversion of any place of worship and mandates the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947.

The court also ruled to continue the hearing of the case. The next date of hearing is September 22.

Five women had filed a petition to seek permission for daily worship of Hindu deities whose idols are said to be located on an outer wall of the mosque.

A single bench of district Judge AK Vishvesh delivered the verdict in the Gyanvapi Shrinagar Gauri dispute case today.

“The court rejected the Muslim side’s petition and said the suit is maintainable. The next hearing of the case is on Sep 22,” advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said.

‘Joy for us’: Hindu petitioner  

BJP leader Rakesh Tripathi reportedly said that all speculations have been laid to rest. Now the case over seeking rights to worship at Gyanvapi will follow.  “It’s a win for the Hindu community. The next hearing is on Sep 22. It’s a foundation stone for the Gyanvapi temple. Appeal to people to maintain peace,” Sohan Lal Arya told ANI.

Muslim petitioners likely to approach Allahabad HC

Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, Member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that the legal experts will study the judgment and then further line of action will be taken. He told India Today, “Whatever Supreme Court said regarding Place of Worship in the Babri Masjid case we were hopeful that all issues related to temples and mosques would be resolved.”

-INDIA NEWS STREAM