The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a contempt petition arising from the demolition of a part of the Madni Mosque in the state’s Kushinagar district.
He stated, "The day we stop calling it a mosque, people will stop going there. Islam itself teaches against hurting anyone's faith or constructing a mosque-like structure at such places.”
The administration informed the High Court that no permission had been given for Mahapanchayat on December 1.
Hindu organisations staged a protest over an alleged illegally constructed mosque in Mandi on Friday. As the crowd tried to bring down the line of barricades, police resorted to firing water cannon to disperse the crowd.
Commercial establishments were closed in many parts of the Himachal Pradesh capital on Thursday in support of protesters who have been demanding the demolition of illegal portions of a mosque in the densely populated Sanjauli area.
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. We will seek additional time from the court, and whatever time the court gives, we will submit it then."
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday slammed the BJP-led government at the centre over the Gyanvapi Mosque row and alleged "they are after all our mosques".
The police are making efforts to ensure that the people visiting the temple and the mosque don't face inconveniences
Reacting to BJP leader Sangeet Som's recent remark that "1992 was for Babri and in 2022, is the time to think about Gyanvapi", the cleric said: "Both Hindus and Muslims have been living peacefully together for centuries, but certain divisive forces want to inject hatred to reach their political goals.
The Allahabad High Court in its judgement in April had dismissed a petition challenging a Varanasi court's order to appoint an advocate as a Court Commissioner to inspect the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque complex.
