Gyanvapi Mosque: Apex court says “Secure 'Shivling' area but don't stop ‘namaz’

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, asked the Varanasi administration about the exact location where the 'Shivling' (symbol of Lord Shiva) was found inside the Gyanvapi mosque in the Uttar Pradesh.

 The Supreme Court directed the Varanasi District Magistrate to ensure that if the 'Shivling' was found there then the area should be protected, but Muslims should not be disallowed from offering namaz there.

The apex court’s question came during the hearing of a petition by the mosque committee that sought the authorities in Varanasi to stop filming the mosque premises.

"Where exactly was the 'Shivling' found?" Justice DY Chandrachud said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Uttar Pradesh government, replied by saying "We haven't seen the report," and requested time till tomorrow to return with details.

Tushar Mehta said that the place, where the 'Shivling' was found, “was sealed to avoid any law-and-order issues if someone who came to offer namaz (prayers) touched it with their feet.” The ‘Shivling’ was reportedly found in a pond, used for ‘wazoo’.