New Delhi, In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has recognized the “rights” of Hindus to perform worship rituals within the cellar of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This decision comes after dismissing two appeals by the Anjuman Intezamia Mosque Committee, which contested a previous order that permitted Hindu ‘puja’ activities within the mosque premises.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the appeals were against a January 17 order by the Varanasi district judge, which had allowed the conducting of ‘puja’ at the mosque, highlighting a move that aligns with the Hindutva agenda promoted by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the central and state governments of India.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court rejected the mosque management committee’s plea, which had sought to overturn the district court’s decision that permitted Hindu prayers in the “Vyas Tehkhana” or southern cellar of the mosque. The Anjuman Intezamia Mosque Committee, responsible for managing the Gyanvapi mosque’s affairs, had initially taken their grievance to the Supreme Court on February 2. However, the Supreme Court directed the committee to approach the high court after declining to hear their plea against the district court’s ruling.

The district court’s January 31 decision stated that Hindu priests could conduct prayers before idols located in the mosque’s southern cellar. These worship activities are now overseen by a priest nominated by both the Kashi Vishwanath temple trust and the petitioner, who claimed that his grandfather had performed ‘puja’ in the cellar until December 1993.

This ruling has sparked significant discussion and is seen as part of a broader conversation about religious rights and the use of historic religious sites in India.