The Allahabad High Court on Friday did not give any immediate relief to the Muslim side against the order of the District Judge of Varanasi with regard to permission for worship in the Gyanvapi’s Vyasji basement located in Varanasi.
The next hearing is scheduled to be held on February 6.
The Anjuman Masjid Arrangement Committee has demanded restoration of the status of the Gyanvapi complex prevalent on January 31.
The court, in its order, said till the next hearing on February 6, puja would continue in Vyasji located in the basement of Gyanvapi. The government has been instructed against additional construction work in the complex.
The court refused to entertain Masjid Committee’s plea seeking an interim ban on the worship inside the basement of Vyasji. The Allahabad High Court has also directed the state government to maintain law and order in the area.
The single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal said the mosque side should first challenge the order of January 17, 2024. By this order, the District Magistrate Varanasi has been appointed the receiver, on which the District Magistrate has taken possession of the Gyanvapi premises on January 23.
The District Court, by an interim order dated January 31, had allowed the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust to conduct puja in the basement through the priest.
Advocate General Ajay Kumar Mishra said it is the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order. The DM is looking after the security arrangements.
The court told Anjuman Intejamia Committee lawyer SFA Naqvi that the basic order is of January 17, 2024. Why not challenge it? The lawyer said due to the order of January 31, he had to come immediately and will also challenge the basic order.
Soon after the order, the District Magistrate made preparations overnight and started the puja in nine hours’ time. The committee said the District Judge actually accepted the suit by giving an interim order contradicting his own order.
Hindu side’s advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain objected to the appeal questioning its maintainability. He said the original order has not been challenged. The subordinate court has not granted relief to the plaintiff.
Earlier on Thursday, the Anjuman Arrangement Committee moved the Supreme Court. The apex court suggested them to go to the high court.
Meanwhile, there was a rush at the Gyanvapi with Muslims thronging the mosque for “juma namaz” (congregational prayer) on Friday. The police had to intervene and advise the devotees to pray in other mosques in the city.
Masjid Committee’s Joint Secretary Yasin made an appeal to the people to maintain peace.
The Anjuman Intejamia Masjid Committee given a bandh call on Friday after the puja started at the Gyanvapi. Responding to the call, a large number of worshipers started pouring in at the Gyanvapi complex even before the prayers started.