A Varanasi court has issued notice in connection with a case involving the Gyanvapi mosque and the Kashi-Vishwanath temple located adjacent to each other in the city. Bar and Bench reports that the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) Kumud Lata Tripathi has issued notice to Central government, UP government, Varanasi District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police, Varanasi, UP Muslim Personal Law Board, mosque management- Anjuman Intazamia and Board of trustees of Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
This suit has been filed by ten individuals acting as next friends of deities claimed to be existing in the mosque precincts including Maa Shringar Gauri and Lord Ganesh, apart from Lord Shiva whose Jyotirlinga was allegedly desecrated in 1669 when the temple was destroyed on the orders of Aurangzeb.
It is noteworthy that a suit had been filed demanding ‘restoration’ of the Kashi-Vishwanath temple, and seeks “restoration of performance of rituals at the principal seat of an Ancient Temple at the Gyanvapi mosque area.” The suit states that every citizen has a fundamental right to perform pooja, worship and rituals according to the tenets of his religion within the ambit of Article 25 and any obstacle created before January 26, 1950 has become null and void by virtue of Article 13(1). Therefore, the plea states, “An idol worshipper cannot complete his pooja and gain spiritual advantages without having objects of worship. Any hindrance/ obstacle created in performance of pooja, is denial of right to religion guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India.”
This new development of notice being issued, comes close at the heels of the Nandi statue and a holy ‘kup’ or shallow well being brought into the premises of the Kashi-Vishwanath temple that is in the process of undergoing expansion and restoration.
The court has fixed April 2 as the date for filing written statements and April 9 for framing of issues.
Related:
Gyanvapi well becomes part of Kashi-Vishwanath temple
Gyanvyapi mosque case: Suit filed in Varanasi court for restoration of temple