They said the court order violates the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act 1991 that prohibits conversion of any place of worship
By Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Prominent Muslim Leaders of community organisations expressed grave concern on the Varanasi civil court order asking ASI to survey of the historic Gyanvapi Mosque situated in Varanasi. They said the order is shocking and raised many questions. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also said the court order violates the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act 1991 and asked the higher judiciary to intervene immediately to nullify this order.
In joint statement, Muslim leaders said the order is quite surprising, disconcerting and raises a lot of questions.
There exists the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act 1991 that deals with places of worship in the country. According to which, the status of the places of worship that existed in 1947 would remain that way (and no changes therein would be envisaged), they added.
The statement reads:
“With the existence of this law, the recommendation by a fast-track court of Benaras to conduct a survey of the precincts of the mosque is quite bewildering and goes against the 1991 law. The social and political fallout of this decision can turn out to be quite unpleasant. The politics of hate and the communal disharmony may receive a fillip because of it.
After the 1991 law, any scheming and plotting with regards to places of worship should be construed to be against the nation and against national-interests. All conspiracies against this law should be dealt strictly by the judiciary and all the institutions of the government.
We appeal to all peace-loving citizens and of this country and those who value democracy along with the ones who believe in the supremacy of the Constitution of India to raise their voice against these trends and tendencies. They must defend the laws and the spirit of those laws that protect the places of worship.
The current ruling by the court in Varanasi has been challenged by the Gyanvapi Masjid Committee. We support and endorse their position.
We appeal to the Muslim community to honor the advice, guidance and directions by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) regarding the “Gyanvyapi Masjid Benaras”. They must control their emotions and work to deprive anti social and communal forces to take advantage of the unfortunate judgment of lower court”.
The statement was signed by Navaid Hamid, President All India Muslim Majlis e Mushawarat; Syed Sadatullah Hussaini, Ameer Jamat e Islami Hind ; ;Dr. Manzoor Alam, Secretary General All India Milli Council ;Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi Salfi, Ameer Jamiat Ahle Hadees Hind ;Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, Chairman Ittehad e Millat Council ;Adv. Feroz Ahmed, President All India Momin Conference ;Ziauddin Nayyar, President All India Tameer e Millat Hyderabad.
On the 8th of April, a court in Varanasi gave a verdict regarding “Gyanvapi Masjid Banaras” that the Archeological Survey of India should conduct a survey of the precincts of the said mosque.