A possible decision in the Varanasi fast-track court regarding the Gyanvapi Masjid has been postponed for the time being. Due to the Civil Judge Senior Division Fast Track Court Mahendra Kumar Pandey being on leave, the decision to come on Tuesday (November 8) has been fixed for November 14, 2022.
The Hindu side claimed to have found a Shivling in the Gyanvapi Masjid complex.The Division Fast Track Court was to pronounce its verdict on three main demands of the plaintiffs, including allowing the immediate commencement of prayers to the self-styled Jyotirlinga Lord Vishweshwar, handing over the entire Gyanvapi complex to Hindus and the entry of Muslims into the Gyanvapi mosque complex.The court will now hear the matter next on November 14.
During the hearing last month, the Varanasi court had refused to allow a scientific investigation of the alleged Shivling. The Hindu side had sought carbon dating of the structure, which they claimed was a Shivling found inside the Vazukhana of the Gyanvapi Mosque. However, the Muslim side maintained that the structure found was a fountain. The Hindu side had till September 22 submitted an application in the Varanasi District Court, seeking carbon dating of the object which claimed to be a Shivling.
Hindu side will challenge in Supreme Court
The Hindu side said it would approach the Supreme Court against the Varanasi court’s decision refusing to allow scientific investigation of the alleged Shivling, which claims to be found in the Gyanvapi mosque premises. The Hindu side, in the September 29 hearing, had demanded scientific investigation of the Shivling by the Archaeological Survey of India and carbon dating of Argha and its surrounding area.
The Varanasi court observed that it would not be appropriate to order a survey by the ASI and by such an order the age, nature and structure of the said Shivling is known, even if it is unlikely. Advocate Vishnu Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, said that the court has rejected the demand for carbon dating. We will go to the Supreme Court against this order and will challenge it there.
Varanasi court mentioned the order of the Supreme Court
Referring to the May 17 order of the Supreme Court, the Varanasi Court had said that if the alleged Shivling is damaged by taking the sample, then it will be in violation of the order of the Supreme Court. The Varanasi court had said that if the Shivling is damaged, then the religious sentiments of the general public can also be hurt. After hearing the arguments of both the sides, the court had reserved the verdict in the Gyanvapi Masjid-Shringar Gauri case. At the same time, on May 20, the Supreme Court had ordered to transfer the matter related to worship at Gyanvapi Masjid from the civil judge to the district judge of Varanasi.
