"No sides should have any issues now": Kashi Vishwanath Trust chairman on Gyanvapi

"Court has ordered the opening and subsequent worship at the 'Tehkhana' which was closed for years. No side should have any issues now. As per the court's orders, we will do all necessary procedures. We have been given the right to worship our deity. We have adequate priests and will start the 'pooja' soon," he said.

The 'Pooja' will be performed according to our method of worship. There is no need to call anyone from outside for that. We have everything in sufficient quantity," he added.

This comes as Varanasi court on Wednesday allowed Hindu devotees to offer prayers inside the 'Vyas Ka Tekhana' area inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

The court has asked the district administration to make the necessary arrangements in the next seven days.

Reacting to Varanasi Court's order on Wednesday allowing Hindu devotees to offer prayers inside the 'Vyas Ka Tekhana' area inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex, Muslim side lawyer Akhlaq Ahmed said that they will approach the Allahabad High Court to challenge Varanasi Court's decision.

Akhlaq Ahmed said, "We will approach the Allahabad High Court against the decision. The order has overlooked the Advocate Commissioner report of 2022, ASI's report, and the decision of 1937, which was in our favour. Hindu side has not placed any evidence that prayers were held before 1993. There is no such idol in the place."

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, told ANI, "Puja will start within seven days. Everyone will have the right to perform Puja."

"Hindu side is allowed to offer prayers at 'Vyas Ka Tekhana'. The District Administration will have to make arrangements within 7 days," Jain said.

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi termed the decision as a violation of the Places of Worship Act.

Asaduddin Owaisi said, "The judge who gave the decision was his last day before retirement. The judge appointed the District Magistrate as receiver on January 17 and finally he has directly given the verdict. He himself said that no prayers were offered since 1993. It has been 30 years. How does he know there is idol inside? This is violation of Places of Worship Act."

The mosque has four 'tahkhanas' (cellars) in the basement, of which one is still in the possession of the Vyas family, who used to live there. Vyas had petitioned that, as hereditary pujari, he be allowed to enter the tahkhana and resume pooja. (ANI)