Gyanvapi Masjid: Need for balance and peace on the ground: Supreme Court
New Delhi:
The matter relating to claims of Hindu idols at Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi will be heard by the senior most judge of Varanasi. While delivering the verdict, the Supreme Court said, “It would be better if an experienced hand hears the case”.
The Supreme Court, while hearing a petition challenging the filming of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque, also took a tough stand on “selective leaks” to the press, saying they should be stopped. This comes after Hindu petitioners released the details of the mosque filming report, hours after it was handed over to a Varanasi court in a sealed cover on Thursday.
The Supreme Court said, “Keeping in view the complexity and sensitivity of the matter, the civil suit before the Civil Judge at Varanasi will be heard by a senior and experienced judicial officer of the UP Judicial Service.”
The judges said the order had no bearing on the judge who had passed the earlier orders.
The court also extended its interim order to protect the area of the mosque where a “shivalinga” was found without preventing Muslims from praying there.
Justice DY Chandrachud said, “Selective leaks must stop. Things are leaking in the press. It had to be presented in the court. The court has to open it.”
The Supreme Court also said that “the need for brotherhood and peace among communities is supreme” for the court.
Justice Chandrachud said, “We need balance and peace on the ground. We need some degree of healing touch. We are on a joint mission to maintain the sense of balance in the country.”
The court said, “It is a complex and sensitive matter. We feel that the trial should be heard by the District Judge instead of the Trial Judge. Because it is better that an experienced person hears it.”
A Varanasi court had ordered the filming of the mosque complex following a petition by five Hindu women, seeking permission to claim Hindu idols in the Gyanvapi mosque.
The filming was challenged in the Supreme Court by the Gyanvapi Masjid Committee.
The filming report submitted to a Varanasi court yesterday was made public by the Hindu petitioners hours later.