- Gyanvapi dispute parties reject Supreme Court mediation.
- Both sides committed to court's final decision.
- Hindu, Muslim parties refuse compromise in Varanasi.
Jagran Correspondent, Varanasi | Hindu litigants and Muslim religious bodies in the temple-mosque (Gyanvapi) dispute in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi declined a Supreme Court invitation to resolve the dispute through mediation. The mediation court hearings in the Gyanvapi case concluded on Tuesday, with both parties refusing mediation.
Refusing mediation in the matter, all parties expressed their commitment to accept the court's final decision. They asserted that the temple-mosque dispute can only be resolved by the court. All parties maintained their position that they would not compromise and would fight their own legal battles. Thus, it seems that the settlement efforts failed despite the Supreme Court's direction. There were talks that the Muslim side would boycott the negotiations, but that did not happen. Representatives of the Anjuman Masjid and lawyers from the Muslim side also attended the mediation talks.
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Lawyers Represent Hindu Side
Rekha Pathak, Shailendra Pathak, and others from the temple side were accompanied by their lawyers. Their views were taken into account. The Hindu side asserted that it was their temple, they want it back, and no compromise could be reached on the issue.
"The temple exists there and had existed since time immemorial. We want to perform puja in the temple," Shailendra Pathak said. He added puja was still being performed inside the basement of the Gyanvapi complex.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple vs Gyanvapi Mosque
There is a historical and legal dispute between the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi. The temple side believes that the Adi-Vishweshwar temple exists beneath the Gyanvapi structure. Historical evidence was provided to the court, which proves that the temple was demolished by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1669. On the other side, the mosque side claimed that the land has been Waqf property for centuries and that regular prayers have been offered there.
Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991
Muslim side cites the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits any religious place from changing its 1947 status. At the request of the temple party, the District Judge's court commissioned an ASI survey, which claimed to have uncovered relics and sculptures related to the temple. The case is currently pending before the Varanasi District Court, the Allahabad High Court, and the Supreme Court.
(With Jagran.com inputs)