The Supreme Court, hearing a petition challenging the filming of Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque, on Friday said "selective leaks" to the press must stop. This comes after Hindu petitioners released details of the mosque filming report just hours after it was handed over to a Varanasi court in a sealed cover on Thursday. The Supreme Court also said there is a "need for healing touch" and a sense of "balance and calm on the ground" is needed.
Earlier this week, lawyers representing these petitioners claimed that a Shivling was found during the videography survey of the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri complex. The claim was disputed by the mosque committee members who said it was part of the water fountain mechanism in the wazookhana reservoir, used by devotees to perform ritual ablutions before offering namaz. The district court had then ordered the sealing of the ‘wazookhana'.
The Supreme Court had directed the Varanasi court on Tuesday to ensure the protection of the area where the Shivling is claimed to have been found, but without impeding “religious observances”.
Here are the updates on Gyanvapi mosque case:
May 20, 2022 16:25 (IST)
Top Official Asked To Make Arrangements In Mosque For Wazu (Ritual Before Namaaz)
Supreme Court has asked the Varanasi District Magistrate to make arrangements in the mosque for practice of Wazu (purification ritual before namaaz)
May 20, 2022 16:22 (IST)
Gyanvapi Mosque Case Transferred From Civil Judge To District Judge In Varanasi
Supreme Court transfers Gyanvapi Mosque case from Civil judge to District Judge in Varanasi.
May 20, 2022 16:19 (IST)
Not Commented On Judge Hearing The Case: Supreme Court
"We have not said anything about the Judge. We have said in a positive way that a senior and experienced person should handle," says Supreme Court
May 20, 2022 16:02 (IST)
A Hybrid Structure In Not Unknown In India: Supreme Court
"Let us keep the mosque and temple aside for one moment. But a hybrid structure is not unknown in India. The presence of a cross does not make a Zoroastrian faith a place of Christian worship and vice-versa," says Supreme Court after report of the filming of Varanasi's Gyanvapi Masjid appears to back claims of the presence of Hindu idols and symbols inside the mosque.
May 20, 2022 15:56 (IST)
Sealing The Area Will Affect Prayers, Say Muslim Petitioners
Sealing the pond area at the Gyanvapi Masjid complex where Hindu petitioners claim that a "Shivling" had been found will affect the practice of "Wazoo" or purification rituals before namaaz, say Muslim petitioners.
May 20, 2022 15:49 (IST)
Interim Order On Securing Shivling To Stay, Says Suprme Court
The Supreme Court suggests that it could continue the interim order to keep the Shivling area safe in the mosque but without hampering prayers by Muslims.
May 20, 2022 15:46 (IST)
Selective Leaks To Press Must Stop: Supreme Court
"Selective leaks must stop. Things are being leaked to the press. It was to be submitted in Court. Court has to open it," says Supreme Court
May 20, 2022 15:45 (IST)
Need a degree of healing touch, says Supreme Court
May 20, 2022 15:45 (IST)
We need a sense of balance and calm on the ground, says Supreme Court
May 20, 2022 15:43 (IST)
We are on a joint mission for preserving a sense of balance in the country, says Supreme Court
May 20, 2022 15:33 (IST)
Suit Should Be Heard By A District Judge: Supreme Court
"This is a complex and sensitive matter. We think that the suit should be heard by a District Judge instead of a trial Judge. Because better if a more seasoned hand hears it," the Supreme Court said
May 20, 2022 13:17 (IST)
The mosque management committee has restricted the number of people who can offer namaz at the Gyanvapi mosque so those coming in late or beyond the quota being asked to go to other smaller mosques for namaz by the management committee.
