In a unique display of communal harmony, the Muslim side in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Masjid case has handed over 1700 sq feet of land for the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. The land, located adjacent to the Gyanvapi mosque has been transferred to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple trust.

In turn, the temple administration has given the Muslim side 1000 sq feet of land at a distance from the Gyanvapi mosque and Kashi Vishwanath.

“The matter is still in court. The government has been constructing the corridor, they have been seeking acquisition of land. So we consulted our people and the board has okayed the decision to allot 1700 sq feet of land for the Kashi Vishwanath corridor,” said S M Yasin, joint secretary, Anjuman Intazamia Masjid told Times Now.

Varanasi court permits ASI survey of the mosque

Earlier this year, a Varanasi court permitted the Archaeological Survey of India to undertake a survey of the Mosque located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. 

Gyanvapi Mosque management committee has reportedly opposed the move in the High Court. The court was hearing the ongoing dispute between the Kash Vishwanath Temple and Gyanvapi Masjid, the court also directed that a five-member committee be formed with archaeological experts.

“Our understanding is clear that this case is barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The Places of Worship Act was upheld by a 5 judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya judgement. The status of Gyanvapi Masjid is, as such, beyond question,” Zufar Ahmad Faruqi, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board had then said.

Vijay Shankar Rastogi, the petitioners for the temple have claimed that the Gyanvapi Mosque was built in 1669 after emperor Aurangzeb razed the Kashi Vishweshar temple in the city. The petitioners have claimed that the land where the mosque is located belongs to the Hindus.