Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri case: 4 petitioners reject report they plan to withdraw plea

Varanasi, May 08: Four of the five petitioners in the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri temple case Sunday dismissed reports that they plan to withdraw the plea.

The four women - Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas, Rekha Pathak and Laxmi Devi - told a press conference here they will fight the case till the end.

This comes after chief of Vishwa Vaidik Sanatan Sangh Jitendra Singh Bisen said his NGO, which backed the original plea filed by the five women, has now sought the withdrawal of the petition that demanded permission for daily worship and performing Hindu rituals at Shringar Gauri temple, One of the four women petitioners told the presser, "If any type of decision (regarding the withdrawal of the case) is taken, we are against it. We will fight the case to the last breath. We will continue our fight for our Gods and Goddesses." However, the fifth petitioner in the case Rakhi Singh was not present at the press conference.

Rekha Pathak said, "A couple of days ago, I had spoken to Rakhi Singh, but there was no discussion regarding withdrawal of the case." When contacted, Jitendra Singh Bisen refused to comment on the matter.

The petitioners have sought the permission to perform daily worship of deities Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Nandi whose idols are on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.