WRONGS OF THE PAST
After the 2019 Babri masjid-Ram Janmbhoomi verdict, the country has seen a spurt in the number of cases filed against Islamic structures which claim that these structures were built by Mughal emperors by demolishing Hindu temples. At present we have the following litigations related to Hindu-Muslim places of worship:-
- Shahi Idgah Mosque case
- Gyanvapi mosque-kashi vishwanath temple
- Taj mahal an old Shiva temple?
- Vagdevi temple-Kamal Maula mosque dispute
- Qutub Minar case
Gyanvapi Mosque case
A petition was filed in 1991 in the Varanasi court where the petitioners, local priests sought permission to worship in the Gyanvapi Mosque area in Banaras. The petitioners said that the mosque was build by Aurangzeb by demolishing part of the Kashi vishwanath temple during his reign in 16th century.
CURRENT SCENARIO
After the verdict of Babri masjid-Ram janmabhoomi dispute in December 2019, Vijay Shankar Rastogi filed a petition in the lower court of illegal construction of Gyanvapi mosque and sought an Archaeological survey of the mosque.
Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (that runs the mosque) opposed the order and took the case to the Allahabad high court. The High court than gave a interim stay on the orders.
In March 2021, a Supreme Court bench headed by then Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde agreed to examine the validity of the Places of Worship Act,1991.
Recently, Five Hindu women have demanded a survey of the mosque and the court has made a committee to do a survey and videography of the site. They will see if there is any evidence of a temple built before the disputed structure.
This is the image released by the ASI(Archaeological Survey of India). Hindus claim that shivling was found inside the wazukhana or reservoir in the mosque, while the mosque committee claims this to be a fountain.
Places of Worship Act,1991
“An Act to prohibit conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.” exception being disputed site of Babri masjid.
According to this Act the temples or mosque or any place of worship which stood on 15 August 1947 cannot be converted into another religion so Gyanvapi mosque cannot be converted into a temple.
OPINION
You can never make the same mistake twice. The second time you make it, it’s no longer a mistake, it’s a choice.
It doesn’t matter whether the disputed area had a temple or a mosque or church or anything. Nobody really knows or have a solid evidence to prove their theory that hundreds of years ago a temple stood and was demolished to be built again as a mosque by a Muslim ruler and even if we know for the fact that maybe a temple was demolished and a mosque was built over it. Was it right? Absolutely no. So will it be ethical or humane or virtuous to demolish the site again and build a temple over it. Also No.
If we make the same mistake now, what are we gonna leave behind for our next generation, maybe a disputed site which belonged to no one, which belonged to no religion, where mosque or temples will be built again and destroyed again. The vicious cycle has to end.The wrongs of the past cannot be rectified but yeah it can guide us to build a better future where people of different race or religion or caste can live together with harmony and peace.
Let’s just assume for a second, that maybe thousands of years ago Lord Rama and Allah existed together. Would they have fought over 10,000 sq ft area? Ask yourself, ask your religion or maybe your god.
We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.
-Kofi Annan
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