New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his disapproval on Saturday over the labeling of the Gyanvapi site as a mosque, stating it is "Lord Vishwanath himself." His comments were made during a speech in Gorakhpur to mark Hindi Diwas.
"People unfortunately refer to Gyanvapi as a mosque, but it is actually 'Vishwanath' (Lord Shiva)," Adityanath said.
His statement follows a recent court decision rejecting a request from Hindu petitioners who had sought repairs to the basement of Vyas Ji within the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The Chief Minister also shared his views on social media, emphasizing: "Today people call Gyanvapi a mosque, but in truth, Gyanvapi is Vishwanath."
Adityanath further remarked, "Had our society recognized and addressed this issue earlier, our country might have avoided colonization."
Background of the Gyanvapi Dispute
ज्ञानवापी को आज लोग दूसरे शब्दों में मस्जिद कहते हैं,
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) September 14, 2024
लेकिन ज्ञानवापी साक्षात 'विश्वनाथ' ही हैं... pic.twitter.com/njo9Fk03Xe
The Gyanvapi mosque, located in Varanasi, is at the center of a heated dispute. Hindu activists argue that a temple existed at the site before it was allegedly demolished by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century. This claim is contested by the Muslim side.
In February, a Varanasi court allowed Hindu worshippers to access the sealed basement of the Gyanvapi mosque, specifically the area known as 'Vyas Ka Tekhana.' Recently, the Hindu side has requested that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conduct a survey of the mosque complex.
The next court hearing on this matter is scheduled for September 18, where the petition for an ASI survey will be addressed.
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