Namaz to continue at Gyanvapi: Ban on any construction, court dismisses Hindu party's plea

A Varanasi court dismissed a plea seeking a ban on the entry of worshipers on the roof of Vyas Bhoira of Gyanvapi. The court also refused to order repairs to the basement. However, the ongoing worship in the Vyas basement will continue. Civil Judge Senior Division Hitesh Aggarwal gave this order on the application of the Hindu party. In the petition, the Hindu party demanded that the entry of worshipers on the roof of the Vyas basement should be stopped. Now the Hindu party will appeal to the district court demanding repairs. At present, prayers are offered on the roof of Vyasa's basement and worship is performed in the basement below. The petition was filed on December 16, 2023 by Akanksha Tiwari of Kanpur, Deepak Prakash Shukla of Lucknow, Amit Kumar and Suvid Praveen, a member of Lucknow Jan Udhosh Seva Sansthan, on behalf of Nandiji Maharaj Vrajman from the Hindu party. Hindu party's contention – Vyas basement roof is weak Hindu party demanded in the petition that Vyas basement is very old. The roof is weak. Water is dripping from the roof. The basement pillars are also weak. The roof is getting damaged due to the gathering of worshipers on the roof. In such a situation the basement should be repaired. Also the worshipers should be prevented from going on the roof of the Vyas basement. Muslim Party's Claim – The Roof Is Not Weak The Muslim Party opposed the Hindu Party's plea. The court argued that the roof was not so weak that it would be damaged if someone walked on it. We have been praying on the terrace for years. In Gnanawapi, Muslims offer Namaz five times a day without interruption for years. As many people offer Namaz as per their ability in Gnanawapi. Neither the Anjuman Masjid Committee nor the ordinary worshipers move here and there on the roof of the basement for no reason. Don't go into the basement or on the roof of the mosque or its surroundings wearing shoes or slippers etc. Basement unlocked after 31 years On 31 January 2024, the Vyas basement was unlocked after 31 years on the order of a Varanasi court. Idols were kept and worshiped late at night. Ganesh-Lakshmi Aarti was performed by lighting the lamp. Other religious symbols, including a trident, were also worshiped on the basement wall. The Vyas family, who were the traditional priests of Bhonyra, applied for permission to worship.

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