Council declares Bandh Muslim shops near Gyanvapi mosque closed after protest against court recognition of puja

The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (AIMC), which manages the maintenance of the Gyanvapi mosque, was “shocked” by a local court order allowing the Hindu side to hold worship in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque complex and on Friday issued a call to the Muslim community to stage a silent protest against the court order.

The mosque management committee also appealed to Muslim traders to close their shutters, stay indoors and not indulge in any political debates.

The AIMC’s move comes a day after Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas submitted a petition to the committee seeking to take back the right to conduct puja within the complex, which was approved by the court.

“After this happened, AIMC officials held a meeting with the ulema (clerics) and prominent figures from the city’s community and it was decided that the people of the city would launch a silent but strong protest. The Muslim community was against compliance court order,” the appeal was issued by Shahar-e-Mufti and AIMC general secretary Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani, who chaired the meeting.

The AIMC appeal further stated that all shops and businesses will remain closed peacefully till evening. “Our Muslim brethren should offer prayers at their nearby mosques and should avoid going out while women are asked to stay indoors for prayers,” the appeal further reads, adding that Muslims are asked not to indulge in any kind of debate or political issues.

Furthermore, AIMC has also appealed to religious leaders of the textile community to convey the same message to people living in Dalmandi, Nai Sadak, Nadesa, Ardali Bazaar and other areas. Most Muslim-owned shops in Varanasi and other areas remained closed on Friday due to the order.

The Vyas family prayed in the southern cellar of the Jawapi Masjid complex on Thursday. According to the lawsuit, Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas is seeking to take back the right to hold prayers in the cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque where his maternal grandfather, priest Somnath Vyas, used to perform prayers until 1993, until it was closed by authorities. Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas is the grandson of Somnath Vyas. There are four “cellars” in the basement of the mosque, one of which is still owned by the Vyas family who once lived here.