VHP calls for removal of Gyanvapi mosque and handover of site

The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Saturday said the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, representing the Muslim side in the Gyanvapi case, must hand over the original site of the Kashi Vishwanath temple to the Hindu side. It said the ASI survey report has concluded that a large Hindu temple existed on the same spot before the mosque.

The Muslim side, however, has questioned the ASI findings, saying it is only an elaborate version of a previous survey. It has also said the remains of idols of gods and goddesses found by the ASI belong to sculptors, who worked in the mosque premises as tenants.

The Hindutva outfit said handing over the site and “respectfully” moving the Gyanvapi mosque to another “appropriate place” will be “righteous action” on part of the Muslims, and an “important step towards creating amicable relations between the two prominent communities of Bharat”.

According to VHP international working president Alok Kumar, the evidence collected by the ASI from the Gyanvapi mosque reconfirms that the structure was constructed after demolishing a temple. A part of the temple structure, particularly the western wall, is the remaining part of the Hindu temple.

Kumar said the report proves that parts of the pre-existing temple, including pillars and pilasters, were reused with modifications to extend the span of the mosque and for the construction of the ‘sahan’. He said the shivling in what was called the ‘wazukhana’ leaves no doubt that the structure does not have the character of a mosque.

The VHP leader and senior advocate also said the report had found such names, including Janardana, Rudra and Umeswara, in inscriptions found in the structure. He said these were telltale evidence of the site having a temple.

He said the evidence collected and the conclusions provided by the ASI show that the religious character of this place of worship existed on August 15, 1947, and is that of a Hindu temple. Hence, as per Section 4 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the structure should be declared a Hindu temple, he added.

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