Why Are UP Clerics Upset? Yogi Adityanath’s Gyanvapi Comment Triggers Fresh Row

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent statement on the Gyanvapi mosque, saying it is “not a mosque but Vishwanath-ji himself”, has prompted strong criticism from clerics, who labelled the comment “irresponsible”. The CM also faced flak from the Samajwadi Party and Congress for his ‘biased’ remark.

“Yogi Adityanath-ji is a respected figure and Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister. People occupying such high posts should be cautious while commenting on such sensitive issues. It’s very unfortunate that people can go to any limit when it comes to politics and their vote bank,” said Mohammed Sayyed Yaseen, joint secretary, Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, the body which manages Gyanvapi mosque and is involved in a series of cases related to the dispute over the structure.

The body was the first to register its protest against Adityanath’s statement that he made while addressing the gathering at the opening session of an international seminar on ‘Contribution of Nathpanth in the Creation of a Harmonious Society’ held at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Imam Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali too slammed the CM’s remark and said: “The Gyanvapi mosque, with a history of hundreds of years, remains a place of worship where namaaz and azan continue. With the matter already in court, it’s puzzling why people remain entangled in the row. When the dispute is being addressed legally, everyone, including the chief minister, should exercise caution and respect the judicial process.”

Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, said the Gyanvapi mosque is currently the subject of a legal dispute involving both Hindus and Muslims. “Leaders should avoid making comments that may further divide society,” he added.

The Samajwadi Party also hit out at Adityanath over the remarks. SP spokesperson Abbas Haidar said: “It seems that he (Yogi Adityanath) does not give respect to the court. The matter is pending in 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.”

Congress UP Chief Ajay Rai and UP Congress Minority Department president Shahnawaz Alam too slammed the UP CM for his remark, saying: “The matter is currently going on in court. No kind of comment should be made on it. CM Yogi’s remark is purely a contempt of court, since the matter is subjudice.”

What did UP CM Yogi Adityanath say?

During his speech, Adityanath emphasised the enduring tradition of saints and sages in India, presenting it as a unifying force for society and the nation. He recounted the story of Adi Shankar, the renowned spiritual leader from Kerala, who established religious centres across the country.

The CM shared that when Adi Shankar visited Kashi, Lord Vishwanath decided to test him. One morning, as Adi Shankar headed to bathe in the Ganga, Lord Vishwanath, disguised as an untouchable, appeared before him. When Adi Shankar asked him to step aside, the disguised deity responded: “If you are truly full of Advaita knowledge, you should not see only the physical body. If Brahma is the ultimate truth, then I possess the same Brahma as you.”

Stunned, Adi Shankar asked for his identity, to which Lord Vishwanath revealed, “The Gyanvapi for whose worship you have come here — unfortunately, some today call it a mosque — but Gyanvapi is Lord Vishwanath himself.”

What is the Gyanvapi complex dispute?

On January 29, 2024, four Hindu women approached the Supreme Court requesting the excavation and scientific survey of a sealed section of the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi. This development followed an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report that concluded a significant Hindu temple predated the mosque’s construction. Four days earlier, on January 25, both Hindu and Muslim parties received a copy of the ASI’s findings from the court-ordered scientific survey.

The ASI had submitted its report to the Varanasi district court on December 18, 2023. Prior to this, the court had granted multiple extensions for the ASI to finalise its findings. The latest extension was on December 11, after earlier extensions were given on September 6, October 5, November 2, November 17, and November 30.

The ASI survey resumed on August 4, 2023, amid heavy security, following approvals from the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court. Earlier, on July 21, the Varanasi district court had ordered the survey to determine if the mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple structure. This legal journey began with a case filed in 2021 by five Hindu women seeking permission for daily prayers at a shrine within the mosque complex.

Currently, around 21 cases related to Gyanvapi mosque matter are pending before different courts in Varanasi. Of these eight cases, including the one filed by five Hindu women seeking right to worship at Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal on the Gyanvapi complex, are pending in the court of district judge. The remaining cases are in two other courts.