Plea Filed In Supreme Court Seeking Permission To Worship Shivling In Gyanvapi Mosque

A new petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions from the Court to allow the petitioner and other disciples of Lord Shiva to worship the Shivling found inside the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi.

The petitioner Rajesh Mani Tripathi, the President of Shri Krishna Janma Bhumi Mukti Dal says in his petition that he seeks "permission of the court to preach and practice his prayer in the month of Shravana to offer Puja and exercise the rights of Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion as guaranteed under Article 25."

He has also submitted in the petition filed through Advocate Vipin Kumar Jai that, "though the said Shiv linga is protected by the order of the Court but still there is no restriction to Bhaktas, devotees of Lord Shiva to offer pujas and perform rituals at the said place."

He has submitted that, "in the decision of the Ayodhya Temple Case, it was held that 'once a deity and a temple merely on being demolished shall not lose its character, sanctity or dignity' though, this matter is pending adjudication before the court of law but so far as the various records are concerned."

He has prayed to "Allow the petitioner and other disciples to perform religious practices/rituals at the premises of the Gyanvapi Temple at Varanasi."

The Supreme Court had on the petition filed by the Committee of Management, Anjuman-e-Intezamia Masjid passed an order directing the police and the District Magistrate to protect the area where the Shivling was found in the Gyanvapi Mosque. The Court on the last hearing also asked the District Magistrate to ensure that alternate arrangements are to be made to practice 'wuzu'.

The bench comprising of Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, Justice Surya Kant and Justice P. S. Narasimha had transferred the matter from the Civil Judge Senior Division, Varanasi to District Judge, Varanasi.

The Court had in the previous order stated that "Having regard to the complexity and sensitivity we are of the view that the Civil Suit before the Civil Judge Varanasi should be tried before a senior and experienced judicial officer. We order and direct that it shall be transferred to the District Judge for trial and all ancillary proceeding should be addressed to District Judge." The Court had also stated that the interim order of the Court shall be operational for a period of 8 weeks and the District Judge would hear the matter regarding Order 7 Rule 11 on priority.

The Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court filed by the Committee of Management of Anjuman-e-Intezamia Masjid Varanasi challenges the order passed by Allahabad High Court dismissing the challenge to the Varanasi District Court's order appointing Advocate Commissioner for conducting a video survey of the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex.