Varanasi Court Rejects Hindu Petition for Gyanvapi Mosque Repairs

A Varanasi court has declined a petition from the Hindu community requesting repairs to the basement of Vyas ji within the Gyanvapi mosque complex. Despite the court's decision, which considered objections from the Muslim side and a pending Supreme Court case, the Hindu side intends to appeal for permission to proceed with the repairs.

A Varanasi court has rejected a petition filed by the Hindu side, which sought an order for the local district magistrate to repair the basement of Vyas ji within the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

The Varanasi district magistrate acts as the local custodian of the complex. On Thursday, the court of Civil Judge Senior Division Hitesh Agarwal upheld the ongoing worship activities in the basement, considering objections from the Muslim side and a pending challenge before the Supreme Court.

Hindu advocate Madan Mohan Yadav noted that the court's ruling leaned on the Muslim side's opposition and the legal proceedings in the Supreme Court. Despite the decision, the Hindu side plans to appeal to the district judge's court to obtain permission for the repairs. Yadav stated that worship resumed in Vyas ji's basement on January 31, allowing devotees to view the idols, but safety concerns over the old and weak roof persist, prompting their request for repairs.

(With inputs from agencies.)