In a significant development concerning the religious dispute at the Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi, the Allahabad High Court has issued a directive to a Varanasi court. The order mandates a decision within eight weeks on an application seeking unrestricted rights to worship a ‘Shivling’ allegedly discovered within the mosque’s precincts in May 2022.
The controversy stems from events on May 16, 2022, when a court-ordered survey was conducted at the Gyanvapi premises, located adjacent to the revered Kashi Vishwanath temple. During this survey, a structure found in the wazukhana area was identified differently by the Hindu and Muslim parties involved. The Hindu side claimed it to be a ‘shivling’, while the Muslim side described it as a ‘fountain’.
The order was passed by Justice Manish Kumar Nigam in response to a plea filed by Vivek Soni and another individual. They approached the high court seeking expedited resolution of their interim application, which had been pending before the civil judge (senior division) in Varanasi since 2022.
The application in question was submitted during the ongoing legal proceedings seeking a permanent injunction against the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid. This injunction aims to restrain the mosque committee from interfering in the worship of the alleged ‘shivling’.
In the suit filed back in 2022, the plaintiffs sought a permanent injunction against the mosque committee and others to prevent any interference in the offering of prayers to the alleged ‘shivling’. The high court’s order emphasizes the importance of expeditiously addressing the interim injunction application, known as the ‘6C Application’.
Upon disposing of the plea, the high court directed the Civil Judge (Senior Division) in Varanasi to consider and decide the interim injunction application promptly. The directive stressed adherence to legal procedures, providing an opportunity for all concerned parties to be heard, and avoiding unnecessary adjournments.
The court’s order, dated February 27, underscores the need for a swift resolution to the dispute, urging the Varanasi court to make a decision preferably within a period of eight weeks. However, this timeline is subject to the absence of any legal impediments that may arise during the process.
The directive from the Allahabad High Court marks a significant step in the ongoing legal battle over the worship rights and ownership claims at the Gyanvapi mosque premises in Varanasi. It reflects the court’s commitment to ensuring a fair and expeditious resolution to this contentious issue, which holds profound religious and cultural significance for both Hindu and Muslim communities.
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