The Kashi Vishwanath Complex in Varanasi, claimed also by Muslims since the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb who built a partially constructed Gyanvapi mosque over the original Shiva temple, witnessed a ruckus today as members of the two communities indulged in sloganeering even as a team arrived at the site to carry out a survey and inspection of the Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal, as ordered by a court last month.
“When any procession is held, people get curious to participate. This is why the crowd is there, no other matter is involved. People who disobey court orders should prove whether they are Indians, or from other nations,” said Brij Bhushan Ojha, trustee of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Meanwhile, Abhay Yadav, lawyer of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which looks after the Gyanvapi Mosque, said, “There are many things not ordered by the court, being established that way. The court ordered that as per the case filed, only an ordinary commission should be conducted, which should note whatever it sees and submits the report to the court.”
A group of about 50 Muslims, who were against the survey, raised slogans against the advocate commissioner Ajai Kumar-led team as it arrived to carry out the inspection. This resulted in counter-sloganeering from Hindus in favour of the survey.
As the situation turned more acrimonious, some members of the local society from both communities and the police intervened, removing people sloganeering at the premises. The situation is peaceful, the police claim.
The Anjuman Intzamia Masajid Committee had already raised an objection to the proceedings. Its lawyers, however, said though they would obey the law, they would complain if anything, which is against the rule, were done.
On 26 April, Ravi Kumar Diwakar, the civil judge (senior division) in Varanasi, ordered videography of the Shringar Gauri Sthal, which is situated inside the complex, after Eid, which fell on 3 April. It also asked the advocate commissioner to present its report on 10 May, the next date of the hearing.
Videography began at 3 PM and is likely to conclude by 6 PM. Security forces have been deployed in large numbers to prevent any untoward incident.
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