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- By Abhirupa Kundu
- Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:37 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Gyanvapi Mosque complex witnessed a puja being performed by the Hindu side after the barricades of Vyas Ka Tehkhana (basement) of the masjid were opened. The offering of the prayer by the Hindu side came after a Varanasi district court ordered that a priest could perform prayers before idols in the southern cellar of the mosque. A day after the aarti and puja were performed, the Anjuman Intezamaia Masjid Committee (AIMC) which manages the Gyanvapi mosque appealed to the Muslim community to keep their shops shut on Friday in a protest against the worship performed.
The decision was taken by the AIMC at a meeting of prominent members of the Muslim community with clerics on Thursday. The protest comes amid a fresh announcement by the Hindu side declaring a schedule of five 'aartis' that will be held on a daily basis in the basement.
"Daily five aarti: Mangla-3:30 am, Bhog-12 pm, Apranh- 4 pm, Sanykaal- 7 pm, Shayan aarti- 10:30 pm," Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represents the Hindu side wrote in a post on 'X'.
Meanwhile, the Muslim's side decision to demonstrate against the puja was taken at the meeting chaired by Shahar-e-Mufti and AIMC General Secretary Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani.
In an appeal, it issued: "As you all are aware of the matter that on the basis of the order of the court of the district judge, Varanasi, the district administration has hastily made arrangements for worship in the southern basement of Gyanvapi Masjid, Banaras, and the worship has also started there. In view of this situation, a meeting of office bearers of AIMC with the Ulema (clerics) and prominent people of the community in the city was held. In the meeting, a decision was taken that on Friday, all shops and businesses will be kept closed in a peaceful manner, and people of the community should remain busy in prayers while staying in their respective cities and areas."
"In connection with the closing (of shops and businesses), everyone is instructed to maintain complete peace and tranquillity and avoid going anywhere without any reason," the notice read.
All the people of the community were also instructed to offer Jumma Namaz (Friday prayers). Leaders of the weavers' community and those responsible for other areas (Dal Mandi, Nai Sadak, Nadesa, Ardali Bazaar, etc.) should convey this appeal to the people in a peaceful and convenient manner, the appeal said. Women should stay in their homes and offer prayers; marriage and other rituals should be organised with simplicity, the appeal issued by Shahar-e-Mufti Abdul Batin Nomani stated.
