A priest was allowed, but devotees weren’t permitted inside the Gyanvapi mosque’s southern cellar following a court order, Varanasi divisional commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma said Thursday. He dismissed lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain’s assertion that not only the plaintiffs and the assigned priest but also general devotees could enter the southern cellar to offer prayers.
Advocate Jain represents cases of the Vyas Peeth priest and four women plaintiffs seeking worship rights at the southern cellar and goddess Shringar Gauri inside the mosque complex. However, Sharma clarified that the condition of the cellar was not conducive due to structural concerns. The roof is deteriorating at several points, dampness has affected many areas and pillars, and external electricity lines have been installed for lighting inside the cellar. Considering these safety hazards and the ground realities, Sharma emphasised that the entry of devotees into the cellar was not permissible.
Sharma said that according to the court order, the priest appointed by Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust (SKVTT) must conduct rituals in the southern cellar, and the plaintiff had been directed to assist in selecting the priest.
Advocate Jain represents cases of the Vyas Peeth priest and four women plaintiffs seeking worship rights at the southern cellar and goddess Shringar Gauri inside the mosque complex. However, Sharma clarified that the condition of the cellar was not conducive due to structural concerns. The roof is deteriorating at several points, dampness has affected many areas and pillars, and external electricity lines have been installed for lighting inside the cellar. Considering these safety hazards and the ground realities, Sharma emphasised that the entry of devotees into the cellar was not permissible.
Sharma said that according to the court order, the priest appointed by Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust (SKVTT) must conduct rituals in the southern cellar, and the plaintiff had been directed to assist in selecting the priest.
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