Varanasi Court Allows Hindus To Perform Arti Inside Gyanvapi

The Varanasi district court on Wednesday allowed Hindus to offer prayers at Vyas Ka Tehkhana inside the disputed land of Gyanvapi. The court directed the district administration to make all the necessary arrangements within seven days, so that the puja can begin again at the earliest. However, the Muslim side has decided to challenge the Varanasi district court's verdict in the high court.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represents the Hindu side, told the media that "The District Administration will have to make arrangements within 7 days. Puja will start within seven days. Everyone will have the right to perform Puja."

Earlier on Monday, the Hindu side had requested the Supreme Court to unseal the wazukhana area, where a 'Shivling' is believed to be situated. This move comes after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered evidence of a pre-existing Hindu temple within the complex.

In 2002, the Supreme Court had sealed the wazukhana, a place where Muslims wash their hands before prayers. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain had requested the court to revoke the stay order after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)'s report on the mosque premises.

The application seeks permission for the ASI to conduct a new survey in the wazukhana region while ensuring the preservation of the 'Shivling' without causing any damage.