Muslim Shops Shut Down Near Gyanvapi Mosque After Committee Announces Bandh to Protest Court Nod to Puja

‘Stung’ by the local court’s order allowing the Hindu side to perform Puja in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (AIMC) — which manages the upkeep of the Gyanvapi mosque — on Friday appealed to the Muslim community to launch a silent protest against the court order.

The mosque management committee also appealed to Muslim traders to keep their shutters down, stay indoors and not indulge in any political debate.

The AIMC’s move came a day after Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas, who filed a petition against the committee to reclaim the right to perform Puja in the complex, was given the go-ahead by the court.

“In wake of the situation, a meeting of office bearers of AIMC with the Ulema (clerics) and prominent people of the community in the city was held in which it was decided that a silent but a strong protest will be launched by the people of Muslim community against the compliance of the court’s order,” stated the appeal issued by Shahar-e-Mufti and AIMC general secretary Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani, who chaired the meeting.

AIMC’s appeal further stated that all shops and businesses would remain closed in a peaceful manner until evening hours. “Our Muslim brethren should offer prayers at the mosques in their own vicinity and should avoid going out while women are requested to stay indoors and offer prayers,” the appeal further read, adding that Muslims are requested not to indulge in any kind of debate or political issue.

Besides, the AIMC also appealed to religious leaders from the weavers’ community to convey the same to people residing in areas, including Dalmandi, Nai Sadak, Nadesa, Ardali Bazaar, etc. A majority of shops owned by Muslims in Varanasi and other districts remained closed on Friday owing to the order.

On Thursday, the Vyas family offered prayers at the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. According to the lawsuit, Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas demanded to reclaim the right to offer puja in the cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque where his maternal grandfather priest Somnath Vyas used to perform prayers till 1993 until the cellar was closed by authorities. Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas is the maternal grandson of Somnath Vyas. The mosque has four ‘tehkhanas’ (cellars) in the basement, out of which one is still in possession of the Vyas family who used to live here.