Court to Address Worn-Out Cloth Issue at Gyanvapi Mosque

The Hindu and Muslim parties in the Gyanvapi dispute have agreed to replace a worn-out cloth tied on the lock of the mosque's sealed wazookhana. The Varanasi district court will address the issue on October 29, as the case awaits a Supreme Court decision. The area was sealed in May 2022.

The longstanding Gyanvapi dispute saw a new development as both Hindu and Muslim parties agreed to replace a worn-out cloth tied to the lock on the sealed wazookhana in the mosque complex, officials revealed on Friday.

District Government Advocate Rajesh Mishra announced that the Varanasi district court will conduct the next hearing on October 29. The court noted its inability to issue any rulings due to the pending Supreme Court case. However, mutual consent between the parties allows the cloth replacement, Mishra explained.

The wazookhana area of the Gyanvapi mosque was originally sealed in May 2022 following orders from both a civil judge and the Supreme Court. Given the deteriorating condition of the cloth, the Hindu side submitted a petition on August 8 to allow for its replacement.

(With inputs from agencies.)