There was no temple where Jama Masjid or Gyanvapi Masjid stands in Varanasi. This was stated at what was probably the largest press conference of six prominent Muslim bodies in recent years. The Muslim leaders also expressed “disappointment with various lower level courts for failing to uphold the Places of Worship Act”, and accused the Executive of testing the patience of the Muslim youth.
“There was no temple where the masjid stands today. Islam does not permit destruction of another place of worship to build a mosque,” said Khalid Saifullah Rehmani, president, All India Muslim Personal Law Board. “What we are seeing today is an attempt to destroy Hindu-Muslim relations in the name of temple-mosque. For centuries Hindu temples have stood here. They were not disturbed by Muslim rulers,” Mr. Rehmani said.
In a signed statement, the leaders expressed outrage over the abrupt initiation of pooja in a cellar of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, marked by “the overnight breaking of iron grill and installation of idols, following a questionable judgment of the Varanasi District judge”. Giving voice to their deep regret and concern, Muslim leaders said here that the swift initiation of this action, despite the court granting a seven-day window for the administration to make necessary arrangements, had raised questions about an apparent collusion between the administration and the plaintiff, attempting to foreclose any effort by the Masjid Managing Committee to pursue remedies against the District Court’s order.
