Do not stop namaz at Gyanvapi mosque, Secure Shivling area: SC
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The Supreme Court ordered the Varanasi District Magistrate to seal the area of Gyanvapi mosque where Shivling was found but without stopping Muslims from offering namaz. The court was hearing the petition by the mosque committee.
When Justice DY Chandrachud asked where exactly the symbol of Lord Shiva was found, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time till tomorrow to return with details. He said the state government officials haven't seen the report, reported NDTV.
The Supreme Court was hearing a plea by mosque authorities to stop the survey of the mosque complex. Petitioners asked how the local court ordered the area to be sealed when the committee surveying the complex had not submitted the report yet.
Hindu petitioners had claimed yesterday that a Shivling was found in a pond at Gyanvapi masjid complex during court-mandated filming. There is a Hindu shrine behind the mosque. And the filming was being done following a petition seeking access to pray at the shrine.
A local court has already sealed off the area, and Meha claimed the area was sealed to avoid any issues if anyone comes to offer namaz and touch the Shivling with their feet.
The findings of the survey were to remain confidential. The Varanasi court removed Ajay Mishra, the commissioner in charge of the job, over the leak. Lawyers representing Hindus and Muslims got into an argument in court because the video of the survey was leaked to the media before the report was submitted to the court.
Mishra claims the videographer he hired leaked the details to the media, and he cannot be held responsible for this.
Five Hindu women claimed idols of Hindu gods and goddesses are there inside the mosque. They also claimed an idol of Lord Shiva was found near the pond. The mosque management committee said the object is part of the water fountain mechanism where people wash their feet before praying.
