Mgmt body to oppose videography inside Gyanvapi mosque premises

VARANASI : The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, would peacefully oppose the order of a local court to conduct an inspection, videography and survey inside the mosque premises, said SM Yasin, the committee’s joint secretary, on Saturday.

Yasin clarified they would oppose the survey and videography while being within the limits of the law.

The court of the civil judge (senior division) of Varanasi, Ravi Kumar Diwakar, had on April 26 ordered videography of the Shringar Gauri sthal in the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi complex by the advocate commissioner after Eid (likely to fall on May 3). The court had also asked the advocate commissioner to present a report before the court at the next hearing on May 10.

The court was hearing a case in which permission had been sought for daily worship of Maa Shringar Gauri sthal.

“We will not allow anyone to enter the mosque for videography and survey. The managing committee of the Gyanvapi mosque will oppose this decision of the court,” Yasin said.

“This decision will be opposed constitutionally,” he added.

The court had earlier on April 8, 2022, appointed Ajay Kumar as the advocate commissioner in the case filed in August 2021 by one Rakhi Singh and others, seeking permission for worship of Maa Shringar Gauri (the deity) daily.

The case is titled Rakhi Singh and others versus UP state and Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee.

The petitioners’ advocate Madan Mohan Yadav said the court had ordered advocate commissioner Ajai Kumar to inspect the Maa Shringar Gauri sthal and submit a report.

The petitioners’ advocate and his assistant, and advocates of the two parties in the case would remain present during the inspection, Yadav said.

He said the court had directed the advocate commissioner to inspect the area in the presence of all the parties.

The court also ordered videography of the inspection. Police force should be made available during the inspection, if required, the court had said.