What is the opinion of the special people of Banaras on the Gyanvapi Masjid dispute
India
bbc-BBC Hindi
Date-to-date hearings are going on in the Varanasi District Judge’s court on the Gyanvapi Masjid case. Apart from this, the media and the public have their own courts too. Where religion, faith, history, tradition, evidence and the test of the constitution are being heard separately for almost 24 hours.
The temple was demolished and the mosque was made, the figure found in the mosque is Shivling or fountain, places of worship Act of 1991, Islam vs Hindutva, all these things are part of this trial going on outside the court. BBC Hindi spoke to some important people of Banaras on the Gyanvapi Masjid case and wanted to know from them what their opinion is on this issue?
The opinion of famous people on this dispute is also divided. Although some people say that these mistakes have happened in history and this is the era of democracy, so there is a need to remain united.
People are saying that there was a temple in place of the mosque, so some say let it be a city of Kabir and Tulsi religious harmony.
Along with the Gyanvapi Masjid case, the relevance of the ‘Places of Worship Act, 1991 or the Place of Worship Act, 1991’ is also a matter of discussion. Which prohibits any change in the status of the place of worship of any religion that came into existence till independence.
This law of the then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao’s tenure did not apply to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. In the context of Gyanvapi Masjid and this Act of 1991, Dr. Rajeshwar Acharya, President of Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi and Padma Shri awardee, says that ‘Act’ does not change ‘Fact’.
He says, “A person should act according to the facts. Whether we are human or not will not be decided by majority. We are human. After that man has determined democracy etc. Religion and history of creation is destruction. No. From this point of view, there has been a belief that there was a temple here.”
“It is a temple that if the worship is being done behind a wall in what is being said, then no new practice is being started. The law should be followed here so that social unity is maintained.”
He says, “Talking about the history of Kashi in the world culture, it is pluralistic. People of all religions have been worshiping here. There has never been any discrimination among them. Discrimination came due to the propaganda of wrong history written in the struggle for power. From that point of view, when religious interference took place, secularism was talked about. You don’t talk of equanimity. What is the reason for this, it needs to be considered.
On the evidence of Gyanvapi Mosque, Dr. Acharya says, “If seen from historical and archaeological point of view, there is evidence of temple. That is why in order to create equanimity, measures should be taken to ensure that other religions do not get distracted in the middle of their religion. Gyanvapi The issue of the mosque is sub judice in the court. Whatever we demand, we will have to accept the decision of the court eventually.”
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Dr Rajeshwar Acharya
Temples were demolished, so construction took place.
Kashi Banaras or Varanasi has been the center of religion, spirituality and knowledge since ancient times. From mythological beliefs to modern history, abundant evidence of this has been found. In the scriptures and Puranas, Kashi has been named as the Anandavan of Shiva.
Vishwambharnath Mishra, Mahant of Kashi’s Sankatmochan Temple and Professor of IIT BHU, says that efforts are being made to destroy the rich cultural tradition of Banaras from a long time ago, which continues even today. This is the result of a kind of jealousy towards Kashi.
He said, “It is true that many temples were demolished during the Mughal period, but they were also built during the same period. It must have happened only by mutual consent. About 14 hundred years ago, the existence of religion comes to the fore. It is natural that Whoever came here brought his own cultural heritage.”
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Professor Vishwambharnath Mishra
Pro. Mishra says that when we see Banaras in our frame, it appears as the prototype model of India. Where all religions and all cultures live in harmony and there is never any dispute between them. Now if someone has any purpose then it is a different matter.
Prof. Mishra says about the Shivling found in the Vazukhana of the Gyanvapi Masjid, “If anyone suddenly has found Baba now, then it is the sacrifice of his intellect. Baba has always been here and if you cannot see Baba, then I am someone of yours.” I can’t help.”
Justice must be done, truth must be established
History gives evidence that Aurangzeb broke the temple and built the mosque. From Dr Irfan Habib to all other big historians have also agreed on this point.
The well-known neurosurgeon of the state, Dr VD Tiwari, looks at this whole matter from the point of view of ‘correcting a wrong’.
Dr. Tiwari says, “There is no confusion that the mosque has been built after demolishing the temple. It is visible in front. If someone has done this act to hurt, hurt the religion, then this act was condemnable and If someone corrects it, it will be good. If Hindus have gods there then they should get the right to worship them. In a democracy, the court will decide and it must decide. What is just should be done. “
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Dr. VD Tiwari (Neuro Surgeon)
If the matter goes on for a long time, then there is a danger of unrest
Regarding the Gyanvapi Mandir Masjid case, Dr. Satyadev Singh, principal of DAV Degree College, Varanasi, says that if this issue also goes on for a long time like Ayodhya, then there will be a danger of a major unrest in the country.
Dr. Singh says, “Religious gurus of both sides of Varanasi should appeal that there should be no interference of any politician and outsider in this matter. Apart from this, the role of the court in the Gyanvapi case is very important. The decision should be taken after hearing.”
“We have read and heard from our childhood that Aurangzeb destroyed many Hindu temples. This includes the Gyanvapi Mosque. History says that it was started by Qutubuddin Aibak in the 11th century. After this the tolerant emperor Akbar sent his ministers. Gyanvapi Masjid was built after asking Todarmal. Overall, this dispute is not good for anyone. It needs to be resolved quickly.”
worship in the temple and worship in the mosque
On the Gyanvapi case, Shia Jama Masjid spokesperson and retired Sports Authority of India football coach Syed Farman Haider says that the matter is in court.
He said, “Either you listen to the court or you can do your own thing. Shivling is in the whole world. Somewhere you have possession, it is not yours. Why do you make an issue of something. Don’t make it an issue. This is peace.” Let it be the city of Kabir, let it be the city of Nazir, let it be the city of Tulsi Das, let it be the city of Bismillah Khan. And let it also be the city of Farman Haider.”
The poetic order says, “If I die, I will be buried in this soil. Even my soil will not go to Karachi. This temple will remain, this mosque will also remain. The mirror remains the same, the faces change. This whole issue is political. People have started such things to get something. Otherwise Banaras is the city from where only Bismillah Khan’s message goes, who reject even the President of America, and say we want Ganga. There is also a temple of Balaji from where he became Bharat Ratna. As far as the Gyanvapi Masjid is concerned, this issue was not there a few years ago.
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Syed Farman Haider
Despite the Gyanvapi controversy, tourism is growing
Shrikashi Vishwanath Corridor was constructed in Kashi. Along with this, there was a huge boom in the tourism of Banaras. But the Gyanvapi Masjid dispute adversely affected the tourism here.
The media also raised this matter very prominently. Both foreign and within the country tourists considered Banaras sensitive and started shying away from coming here.
Surya Kumar Jalan, the city’s leading entrepreneur and social worker, completely denies this. He says that the controversy has increased the number of tourists in the city. It is said that both tourism and business are increasing in Banaras.
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lawyer bharti
For harmony there should be both mosque and temple
Bharti, a disabled lawyer doing post-graduation in history at BHU, said, “According to what I have heard and read, Aurangzeb demolished the temple and built the Gyanvapi Mosque there. But at that time there was a monarchy but today it is democracy. I have to say That should be a mosque.”
He says, “There is a temple there, so both should be there. Shivling is also being talked about in the Vazukhana. But the decision of what is right depends on the court.”
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