The long-standing Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath Temple dispute is back in the headlines after the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) in Uttar Pradesh has demanded a temporary ban on offering namaz at the Gyanvapi Mosque complex during the holy Hindu month of Shravan.
The party has submitted a memorandum to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple administration, asking it to prohibit prayers at the mosque during the month, as lakhs of Hindu devotees visit the temple during Shravan, and their religious sentiments should be respected.
Memorandum Submitted to Temple Authorities.
A delegation led by Ajay Chaubey, Deputy Chief of the Uttar Pradesh unit of Shiv Sena, submitted the memorandum during the annual meeting of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple management.
According to the party, Shravan is one of the most sacred months for Lord Shiva devotees, and thousands of Kanwariyas and pilgrims arrive in Varanasi every day to offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
The delegation argued that allowing namaz at the adjacent Gyanvapi Mosque during this period could hurt the sentiments of Hindu devotees and requested the administration to suspend prayers at the mosque for the duration of the festival.
Protest Warning Issued
Shiv Sena leaders warned that if the administration does not act on their demand, the party will launch protests during the Shravan month.
The issue is about religious faith and public sentiment, and we want the authorities to take a prudent decision and keep the harmony at the heart of Hinduism’s most significant religious observances.
Sensitive Issue
The Gyanvapi Mosque and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple have been under the legal and political microscope for several years. Rights of worship, archaeological findings, and ownership issues are still being debated in courts.
As this has been a very sensitive issue, authorities in the past have always been asking for peace and security arrangements around the temple and mosque complex have been increased at major religious events.
Administration Yet to Respond
At the moment, there has been no official response from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple administration or the Uttar Pradesh government to the demand of Shiv Sena.
It is also not clear whether any decision will be made about prayer arrangements during the Shravan month.
The issue will likely draw political attention in the coming days, with large numbers of pilgrims still in Varanasi during the holy month.
According to the official statement, law and order will be maintained from now on, and the legal process of the Gyanvapi dispute will be monitored.
