In a significant development, the Varanasi administration executed the directives of the district court, allowing the performance of pooja in the ‘Vyas Ji ka Tehkhana’ located in the southern part of the Gyanvapi complex on Thursday morning. This comes in the wake of a recent court order upholding the right to conduct religious rituals in this historically significant site.
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Pooja and Aarti Conducted After Midnight Meeting
A priest conducted the pooja around 3 am, followed by an aarti, marking the first religious ceremony in the southern cellar. Prior to the commencement of the pooja, Varanasi’s District Magistrate, S Rajalingam, and Commissioner of Police, Ashok Mutha Jain, convened a midnight meeting, lasting approximately two hours within the Kashi Vishwanath Dham premises. The district administration took swift steps to facilitate the implementation of the court’s decision.
Barricades Removed for Unhindered Observance
A passage was cleared within the barricades to allow smooth access to the southern cellar, ensuring the unhindered observance of the pooja rituals. Rajalingam stated that the barricading has been removed in compliance with the court order.
Devotees Express Joy After Offering Prayers
Excited devotees expressed their happiness at being able to offer prayers at the Gyanvapi mosque complex. One devotee shared, “We saw the Nandi bull. We have been waiting since yesterday to offer prayers. The temple should be built. We are very happy after offering prayers.”
Security Tightened as Pooja Takes Place
Security measures were heightened around the Gyanvapi complex as the historic pooja unfolded. The Varanasi district court, on Wednesday, had granted permission for Hindu worshippers to pray in one of the cellars in the basement of the Gyanvapi complex.
Historical Context and Ownership Dispute
The Gyanvapi mosque, constructed in the 17th century by the Mughal Empire, stands as one of the sought-after religious sites for Hindu activists aiming to reclaim historical places. The mosque complex houses four ‘tehkhanas’ in the basement, with the Vyas family claiming possession of one. Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas, a hereditary pujari, petitioned to be allowed to enter the tehkhana and resume pooja.
Ownership Dispute Counterclaims
However, Anjuman Itezamia Masajid Committee’s counsel, Akhlaque Ahmad, refuted the claims, stating, “The Vyas family never performed puja in the basement. No idol was there in the cellar. It is wrong to say that the people of Vyas family were in possession of the cellar. The basement is in the possession of the Anjuman Itezamia Masjid Committee.”
The recent events have added a new chapter to the longstanding historical and legal debate surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque complex, setting the stage for further developments in the days to come.
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