A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, while hearing the petition filed by the Hindu side, told advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, “This is not the time for this kind of prayer.” The court was responding to the request for permission to conduct special prayers inside the sealed Wuzukhana area of the Gyanvapi mosque complex during the holy month of Sawan.
The Hindu side informed the Supreme Court that it was ready to comply with any conditions imposed by the judiciary, including strict security arrangements, while seeking permission to perform religious rituals at the disputed site.
The Wuzukhana area has remained sealed since 2022 following an interim order issued by the Supreme Court. The disputed structure, which the Hindu side claims is a Shivling, was discovered during a court-monitored survey conducted in 2022 and has continued to remain under judicial protection as per the Supreme Court’s directions.
Earlier this month, both Hindu and Muslim parties declined the Supreme Court’s proposal to resolve the dispute through mediation under its “Samadhan Samaroh” initiative. Both sides chose to continue with the regular judicial process and seek adjudication based on legal arguments and evidence.
The Hindu side has consistently claimed that the Gyanvapi mosque was constructed after the demolition of a temple during the Mughal period. The Muslim side has rejected these claims, maintaining that the mosque is a legally recognised Waqf property and challenging the assertions made by the Hindu petitioners.
In January 2024, the Varanasi District Court allowed Hindu devotees to offer prayers at the Vyas Tehkhana, the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. Following this order, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Gyanvapi mosque management committee challenging the district court’s decision.
The Allahabad High Court also directed the Varanasi District Magistrate to make necessary arrangements to enable the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust to conduct worship rituals at the Vyas Tehkhana in accordance with the court’s instructions.
The latest Supreme Court hearing highlights the continuing legal proceedings surrounding the Gyanvapi dispute, with both religious groups awaiting further judicial decisions on various pending issues connected to the contested premises.
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