In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court has dismissed the appeal by the Gyanvapi Mosque committee, upholding the Varanasi district court's decision to allow Hindu devotees to offer prayers in the southern cellar, known as 'Vyas Tehkhana,' of the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, pronouncing the judgment, stated that after careful consideration, the court found no grounds to interfere with the district judge's decision. This means that the puja will continue in the Tehkhana, with the District Magistrate appointed as the receiver of the property
Advocate Prabhash hailed the verdict as a "big victory of the Sanatana Dharma," emphasizing that the puja will continue as before. He also mentioned that the Muslim side could opt for a review of the decision.
The Varanasi court's ruling on January 31 had granted permission for Hindu devotees to worship in the sealed basement, directing the district magistrate to make arrangements for the puja. The decision was challenged by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, managing the Gyanvapi Mosque, leading to the appeal before the Allahabad High Court.
Notably, the Gyanvapi Mosque has four cellars in the basement, and the 'Vyas Tehkhana' was a point of contention between the Hindu and Muslim sides. The Vyas family, who used to live there, claimed possession, while the mosque committee argued that it was part of the mosque premises.
The Hindu side pointed out that religious ceremonies were conducted in the basement until 1993, complying with a state government directive to discontinue them.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the decision, citing it as a "violation of the Places of Worship Act." He raised concerns about the judge's last day before retirement and questioned the knowledge about the interior since 1993. Despite the criticism, the court's decision brings joy to Hindu devotees who can continue their prayers in the historic Gyanvapi mosque complex.
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