A Varanasi fast-track court on November 17 ruled that an application filed by the Hindu plaintiffs seeking to bar Muslims from entering the Gyanvapi mosque premises was maintainable, thereby rejecting the application of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee.

Fast track court Judge Mahendra Kumar Pandey found the petition filed by Kiran Singh worth hearing and fixed December 2 for taking up the matter, Assistant District Government Counsel Sulabh Prakash said.

The petition, filed by Kiran Singh, general secretary of the Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh, also sought that Muslims be banned from the Gyanvapi mosque complex and it be handed over to the Sanatan Sangh.

The demands of the Hindu side include permission for the immediate beginning of prayer of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar, the handing over of the entire Gyanvapi complex to the Hindus, and banning the entry of Muslims inside the premises of the Gyanvapi complex.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had objected to the plea citing the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The Act states that the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947, must be maintained.

The lawyers of the Hindu side argued that Waqf Act was not applicable to them.

The court posted the case for further hearing on December 2, 2022.

Last week, the Supreme Court extended its May 17 order for the protection of the 'Shivling'. The SC order came after the Hindu side said that the May 17 order of the apex court granting protection to the 'Shivling' area was expiring on November 12 and it needed to be extended. The apex court has also allowed Muslims to offer namaz in the Gyanvapi mosque.

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