VARANASI: The court of the civil judge (senior division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar has appointed Ajay Kumar as advocate commissioner in a case related to worshipping of Shringar Gauri and protection of the idols of other deities in the premises of Gyanvapi mosque. The court has fixed the next hearing on April 20.
The court on April 8 issued an order for the appointment of Ajay Kumar as advocate commissioner to visit Shringar Gauri site in the presence of both the parties to prepare a report of actual status and submit it before the court. The court also asked the advocate commissioner to ensure videography of his exercise and also seek assistance of police force if required. Police officers were also asked to assist the advocate commissioner in this work.
The court has fixed April 20 as the next date for hearing in this case.
Following filing of this case with historical facts before the court of civil judge (senior division) on April 18, 2021 by Delhi-based Rakhi Singh, Laxmi Devi, Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas and Rekha Pathak demanding permission for daily worship and performing rituals at Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman and Nandi and stopping opponents from causing any damage to the statues, the court had already appointed other lawyers as advocate commissioner twice in the past. However, both of them did not file any report.
Lawyer of the plainants, Sudhir Tripathi said, "After none of the advocate commissioners appointed by the court in the past gave any report, we appealed for execution of the order of the court to get the status report of the site. Despite objections from the other party, which is Anjuman Intejamiya Masajid, the court accepted it and ordered for the appointment of a new advocate commissioner in this regard."
SM Yaseen, the joint secretary of Anjuman Intejamiya Masajid, which looks after Gyanvapi mosque, said, "While contesting this case we had raised objection, mentioning that this plaint should not be admitted because this site is covered under section 4 of the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act, which says that religious character of a place of worship shall continue to be the same as it was on August 15, 1947. The mosque has existed for 600 years and namaz is offered there."
Shringar Gauri: The statue of Goddess Shringar Gauri is located within the outer wall of the highly sensitive Gyanvapi mosque. After security of this mosque was beefed up following demolition of Babri mosque during Ram Janmabhoomi movement, regular entry of devotees was stopped and worshipping this deity was allowed only on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri. Activists of groups like Shiv Sena used to give a call for offering Jalabhishek at this site on last Monday of Shrawan month, although permission was denied.
Following the formal opening of Kashi Vishwanath Dham (corridor) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘darshan’ of Goddess Shringar Gauri has become possible on a regular basis, especially for those devotees entering through Godowlia gate to reach KV temple. The wall of Gyanvapi mosque containing a statue of deity falls in their route.
