On Monday, the Supreme Court handed down a ruling that denied intervention in Hindu prayers in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. However, the apex court issued an order to maintain the status quo concerning religious activities conducted by Hindus within the mosque premises.
The decision came amid a backdrop of legal contention surrounding the mosque, with the court observing that Muslim prayers have continued uninterrupted following previous rulings on January 17 and 31. Meanwhile, Hindu religious rituals, notably led by a priest, have been confined to a specific area within the mosque known as tehkhana.
The bench emphasized the importance of preserving current affairs, asserting that doing so would allow Hindu and Muslim communities to practice their respective faiths within the specified parameters. This stance reflects the court’s commitment to ensuring religious harmony and peaceful coexistence among diverse religious groups.
According to reports from legal news outlets, the court’s decision was conveyed with the following statement: “Maintaining status quo allows both communities to worship as per the specified terms,” underscoring the significance of upholding the established norms while legal proceedings continue.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has set a timeline for addressing the plea filed by the Gyanvapi mosque committee opposing the authorization for Hindu religious ceremonies to be conducted in the southern cellar of the mosque. The case is slated for final disposal in July, signalling the court’s intention to address the matter promptly and comprehensively.
This development marks another chapter in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque, situated in one of the holiest cities for Hindus. The court’s decision has significant implications for practising religious freedoms and the delicate balance between communal harmony and legal rights within India’s diverse socio-religious landscape.
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