Varanasi: In a significant development, the Varanasi Court granted permission on Wednesday for Hindu petitioners to conduct puja in the ‘Vyas Tekhana’ or basement section of the Gyanvapi mosque premises. The court directed authorities to implement the order within a week, paving the way for the commencement of puja in the basement after the stipulated seven days.
Vishnu Shankar Jain, the advocate representing the Hindu side, hailed the court’s decision as a “historic verdict” and a turning point in the case. Jain conveyed that the order had been sent to the District Magistrate for prompt compliance. He emphasized that the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust would determine the puja proceedings and expressed confidence in winning the legal battle swiftly. Jain highlighted that the earlier cessation of puja in the Vyas Tekhana lacked legal basis, but the recent ruling changed that, enabling the resumption of puja within the specified timeframe.
Madan Mohan, another lawyer for the Hindu side, asserted the Temple Trust’s pride in being able to resume the puja in the basement, emphasizing that there was no valid reason for its earlier discontinuation. He characterized the court’s decision as the initial step, indicating readiness to address opposition if any arises.
Meanwhile, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee expressed intentions to challenge the district court’s order in the Allahabad High Court. In response, Vishnu Jain, representing the Hindu side, disclosed plans to file a caveat before the Allahabad HC, seeking a preliminary hearing.
The judgment specifically pertains to the case of Somnath Vyas’ basement. The Vyas family had traditionally performed puja in the basement until 1993 when worship was halted following a state government directive. The latest court decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque premises and sets the stage for the resumption of Hindu religious practices in the contested area.
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