Gyanvapi case: SC to hear pleas on July 21

National

The famed Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is close by, and Hindu enthusiasts have petitioned for the right to worship the “Shivling” that was discovered there. The Supreme Court on Monday set July 21 as the date for hearing their case.

Before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Krishna Murari, and Hima Kohli, the petition was brought up for an urgent hearing. The petition was scheduled for hearing on July 21 along with other relevant petitions.

“This is a petition to allow darshan and puja of the Shivling which has been found in the complex and also to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to do carbon dating,” Jain said.

The Bench declared that the new argument will be considered concurrently with the case brought by the Anjuman Intezemia Masjid Committee, which oversees the Gyanvapi mosque and which questions the findings of the court-appointed commission that visited and surveyed the mosque.

The petition asked for approval to permit “Shivling” worship and for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple trust to acquire ownership of the Shivling. It also looked at carbon dating the Shivling that was allegedly found in the Gyanvapi mosque.

The petition also asked for instructions on how to give the Shivling to the Kashi Vishwanath trust.

“Direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to make an appropriate survey or undertake Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and/or excavation associating the petitioners to find out the nature of construction beneath the Shivlingam discovered on May 16, 2022. Direct the Central government to install live video streaming equipment to stream on the website of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Trust… making it possible for the devotees to have virtual darshan and perform symbolic pooja…,” the plea stated.

Another petition was submitted to the highest court asking for a ruling allowing Hindus to carry out religious rites or ceremonies near the Shivling.

According to the appeal submitted by Rajesh Mani Tripathi, president of the Shri Krishana Janama Bhumi Mukti Sthal, Hindus may be permitted to do puja and exercise their rights because the month of “Shravana” has begun.

“The petitioner’s right to preaches his own religious practices and rituals according to Hindu customs as provided under Article 25 of the Constitution of India and it is a facts that the month of Shravana is being celebrated to offer puja to Lord Shiva… and the petitioner came before the court seeking permission to practice his prayer in the month of Shravana to offer puja, exercise the rights of “freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion” as guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India,” the plea stated.