Gyanvapi Mosque Case

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The Gyanvapi Mosque case is a contentious legal battle revolving around the ownership of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. At the heart of the dispute is the claim made by Hindu petitioners that the mosque was constructed on the remains of an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Contrarily, the Muslim side firmly denies this assertion, contending that the mosque was built in the 17th century under the patronage of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Table of Contents

A Historical Background of Gyanvapi Mosque Case

The case was initially filed in 1991 by a group of Hindu women, seeking the right to worship at a “Shivling” – a phallic symbol representing Lord Shiva – purportedly discovered within the mosque complex. After a prolonged legal process, the Varanasi district court ruled in favor of the Hindu women in 2019, granting them permission to worship at the site. However, the Muslim side lodged an appeal with the Allahabad High Court, which, in 2020, stayed the lower court’s order.

Recent Developments

The Gyanvapi Mosque case resurfaced in April 2022 when a court-appointed commission conducted a video survey of the mosque complex. According to reports, the survey revealed the existence of a “Shivling” in a well within the premises of the mosque. The Muslim side vehemently contested these findings, asserting that the object in question was, in fact, a fountain.

In response to the escalating tensions and to oversee a fair resolution, the Supreme Court intervened in the matter. The court directed the district court to refrain from issuing any further orders regarding the survey of the mosque complex. Additionally, the Supreme Court ordered the district court to hear the case concurrently with pleas challenging the maintainability of a petition seeking the removal of a wall within the mosque complex.

The Significance of the Supreme Court’s Role

Given the complex and sensitive nature of the Gyanvapi Mosque case, the Supreme Court’s involvement assumes paramount importance. The court’s impartiality and judicious decision-making will play a crucial role in resolving the dispute and safeguarding the rights of both Hindu and Muslim communities.

Key Developments:

April 2022: Court-appointed commission conducts a video survey of the mosque complex, allegedly discovering a “Shivling” in a well.
May 2022: Supreme Court instructs the district court to halt any further actions based on the survey findings.
July 2023: Supreme Court orders the district court to address the matter along with pleas contesting the maintainability of a petition seeking the removal of a wall in the mosque complex.

As the case remains ongoing, the resolution timeline remains uncertain. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court’s proactive intervention offers hope for an equitable and just resolution that upholds the rights of all parties involved. By steering the case towards an amicable conclusion, the court aims to mitigate communal tensions and promote harmony in India.