The Allahabad High Court, on Friday, rejected the mosque panel's plea for an interim stay on a district court's January 31 order and has allowed Hindu devotees to continue prayers and puja in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agrawal passed the order while hearing an appeal filed by the committee, which looks after the affairs of the mosque. The High Court has extended the time for them until February 6 to amend its pleadings.
This amendment is intended to include a challenge to the January 17 order, the consequence of which led to the issuance of the January 31 order.
High security around Gyanvapi mosque area
Police Commissioner Ashok Mutha Jain called a late-night meeting with police officials to discuss security arrangements.
To ensure peace during the day, additional police forces have been mobilized from neighboring districts. Increased security measures, including the deployment of additional forces near Kashi Vishwanath Dham and surrounding areas, have been implemented.
Sensitive areas are being monitored by the Rapid Police Force (RPF). Currently, individuals have gathered in the Gyanvapi mosque complex for namaz.
Muslims to keeps shops shut on Friday
Protesting against the puja performed in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque, the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee has urged the Muslim community to shut their shops on Friday.
The AIMC, responsible for overseeing the mosque, has appealed for a peaceful protest following the district court's decision to permit Hindus to pray in the mosque cellar, which caused discontent within the community.
According to a Hindustan Times report, Shahar-e-Mufti and AIMC general secretary Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani chaired the meeting regarding this matter and issued the appeal which called the order of the Varanasi court district judge "hastily made" as it allowed the Hindus to worship in the southern basement of Gyanvapi Masjid, Banaras.
His issue reportedly read, “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."
The appeal stated that everyone was instructed to uphold absolute peace and tranquillity regarding the closure of shops and businesses and adviced to refrain from unnecessary travel.
Leaders of the weavers' community and those overseeing various areas namely Dalmandi, Nai Sadak, Nadesa, Ardali Bazaar and others were asked to peacefully convey this appeal to the public.
Community members also received instructions to perform Jumma Namaz (Friday prayers).
The appeal emphasized that women should remain at home to offer prayers, and any marriage or rituals should be conducted with simplicity.
Gyanvapi Mosque Committee moved to HC
The Gyanvapi management committee approached the Allahabad High Court, challenging a Varanasi court's decision permitting Hindu prayers in a mosque cellar.
AIMC's counsel, S F A Naqvi, sought an urgent hearing. This move was followed by the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the mosque committee's plea, directing them to approach the Allahabad High Court.
The appeal argued that the Hindu side's suit is barred by order 7 rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code. Additionally, it alleges that the suit's main purpose is to create controversy around the functional Gyanvapi mosque where regular namaz is conducted.
Puja held in Gyanvapi cellar
Prayers were conducted in the cellar of Gyanvapi Masjid on Wednesday night, almost eight hours after the Varanasi district judge's order permitting the resumption of Hindu prayers in the cellar—a practice reportedly halted three decades ago.
The puja took place in the mosque's southern cellar. Reports indicate that after cleaning the cellar, an 'aarti' ceremony for Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh was conducted.
The police also held flag marches on Thursday in sensitive areas to prevent any communal clash in Varanasi ahead of the Friday's prayers.
The Varanasi court ruled on Wednesday that a Hindu priest can perform prayers before the idols in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque.
The prayers are to be conducted by a "pujari" nominated by the Kashi Vishwanath temple trust.
