Fresh Plea Filed In Supreme Court Seeking Permission To Allow Rituals At Shivling In Gyanvapi Mosque
A fresh petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking a direction to allow Hindus to perform religious practices or rituals on the ‘Shivling’ at the disputed Gyanvapi site, which is adjacent to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
The fresh plea was filed by Rajesh Mani Tripathi, president of the Shri Krishana Janma Bhumi Mukti Sthal. In the plea, he said since the month of ‘Shravana’ is starting, Hindus may be allowed to offer puja and exercise their right.
The petition states that even though the Shivling is protected by court orders, there is no restriction for the devotees of Lord Shiva to worship and perform rituals at that place.
“The petitioner has the right to practice his religion and rituals by the Hindu customs provided under Article 25 of the Constitution of India and it is a fact that the month of Shravan is being observed to worship Lord Shiva. …and the petitioner had come before the court seeking permission to practice his prayer for worship in the month of Shravan, freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion as guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India,” the plea stated.
Further, the petition also states that the petitioner wants to perform the religious practices guaranteed under the Constitution of India on the ‘Shivling’ found during the survey conducted in pursuance of the order passed by the concerned Court of Varanasi.
On May 20, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the matter related to the worship at the Gyanvapi Masjid from the civil judge to the district judge of Varanasi. The court had ordered that its interim order passed on May 17 – to protect the area where the Shivling was found and access to Muslims for prayers – would continue to operate until the suitability was settled and later would continue for eight weeks to enable the parties to proceed legal remedies.
The apex court had said that as per the demand of the Management Committee Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi, District Judge Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath should decide the civil case on a priority basis.
