After a hiatus of more than three decades, the Vyas family of Banaras has once again commenced their family’s traditional rituals, originally started by their patriarch, Pandit Somnath Vyas. For over 200 years, the Vyas family had diligently conducted prayers and a multitude of rituals within the Tehkhana, safeguarding their rich cultural and religious heritage. However, in the wake of the religious and political upheaval that unfolded after the Babri Masjid Demolition in 1992, the state government, under the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav, issued directives to discontinue these time-honored religious practices.
The January 31st order by the Varanasi District Court has finally put an end to their years of waiting. In a landmark judgment, the Varanasi District Judge directed the District Administration to facilitate appropriate arrangements within seven days, enabling Hindus to perform worship rituals within the sealed cellar.
Following the Varanasi District Judge’s order, a ceremony was promptly conducted in the presence of top officials and extensive security deployment that day itself, marking the Vyas family’s return to their ancestral practices, which had been locked away for an extended period due to religious and political considerations.
Furthermore, in alignment with the district court’s ruling, the Allahabad High Court today dismissed the Gyanvapi Mosque committee’s plea, seeking an interim stay on the Pooja performed in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi Mosque, known as Vyas Tehkhana. However, the court has directed the state government to ensure the maintenance of law and order in the area.
Challenging this order, the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, responsible for managing the Gyanvapi Mosque, filed an appeal on Thursday. The committee sought not only a stay on the worship rituals but also contested the Varanasi District Court’s decision to allow Hindus to perform prayers in the southern cellar, known as Vyas Ji ka Tehkhana.
Today, during the hearing of the matter, a Bench presided over by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal refused to grant any interim relief to the Mosque Committee. The court emphasized that the committee had not challenged the Varanasi District Judge’s order issued on January 17th, wherein the District Magistrate was appointed as a receiver.
This development follows the Supreme Court’s decision two days ago, where it declined to urgently hear the plea by the Mosque Committee.
About Vyas Ji ka Tehkhana
The crux of the matter revolves around the ‘Somnath Vyas’ Tehkhana within the premises of the Gyanvapi Mosque. Up until 1993, the Vyas family had been conducting religious ceremonies within the basement. However, in compliance with a directive from the state government in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, these religious practices were discontinued. This directive was issued by the then state government led by Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Speaking to the media after the Court’s verdict, the Hindu Side lawyer Vishnu Jain said, “As soon as arrangements are made, Hindu devotees will start offering prayers. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust does not need any order to make arrangements for prayers.”
Further, in a veiled reference to the government led by the Samajwadi Party, Jain added, “And one state government had misused its power to stop Hindu devotees from offering prayers there. Today, the court rectified it with its pen. And gave the order to allow the prayers.”
