'Unfortunate' to refer to Gyanvapi as mosque: UP CM

September 14, 2024 16:40

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said it is "unfortunate" to refer to Gyanvapi as a mosque and called Gyanvapi an "embodiment of Lord Vishwanath himself".

Adityanath made these remarks while inaugurating an international seminar on "Contribution of Nath Panth in Building a Harmonious Society" at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, where he also highlighted the spiritual significance of Kashi and the revered site of Gyanvapi.

"It is unfortunate that some people refer to Gyanvapi as a mosque while it is the embodiment of Lord Vishwanath himself," he said, and also made a detailed reference to legendary sage Adi Shankar, narrating an anecdote about his "encounter" with Lord Vishwanath in Kashi.

The Gyanvapi issue has been at the centre of a long-drawn legal battle with the Hindu side arguing that the Gyanvapi mosque was allegedly built on the remains of a pre-existing temple, while the Muslim side has contested the claim.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) targeted the chief minister over his remark even as the BJP and some saints of Ayodhya rallied around in his support.

Reacting to the statement made by the UP chief minister, SP spokesperson Abbas Haidar told PTI, "It seems that he (Yogi Adityanath) does not give respect to the court. The matter is pending in the court. It is unfortunate that the chief minister has taken the oath of the Constitution, but it seems he is not giving due respect to the court.

"For his vested political interests, he is dividing the society. The mandate given by the public to the BJP also indicates that they have not spoken on issues related to people," Haidar alleged.

UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla told PTI, "Historic, archaeological and spiritual evidence categorically indicate that Gyanvapi is a temple."

Mahant of Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi temple Raju Das said, "It is only the unfortunate people who are calling Gyanvapi a mosque. It is itself Vishwanath, and a temple of Kashi Vishwanath. Even if a blind person puts his or her hand over the structure, he or she would get a feeling of all the symbols of 'Sanatan'. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

LIVE! 2 held with pistol, grenades in J-K's Baramulla

Can't permit others to have a veto on our choices: MEA

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India can never permit others to have a veto on its choices and will do whatever is right in the national interest and for the global good without being intimidated to conform. In a video...

Students behind bomb threats to 3 Delhi schools

A police officer said the email was sent by two siblings enrolled in the school because they wanted the exams to be postponed.

Seven Indians hurt in Germany's car-ramming attack

Seven Indians were injured in a car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. The attack left at least five people dead and nearly 200 injured. The Indian embassy in Berlin is providing all possible assistance to the...

Army ramps up ops in Jammu, to boost on civilian ties

The Indian Army has increased its operational footprint in the Jammu region, including the strategic occupation of the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range, a senior officer said. The army is playing a pivotal role in military-civilian...