All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged the Supreme Court to “walk the talk” while recalling one of its statements during the Ram Mandir case hearing in 2019.
Reacting to the top court’s decision to transfer the Gyanvapi Mosque case to the District Court, Varanasi, Owaisi said he was disappointed that the Supreme Court did not “nip it in the bud”.
“If the Supreme Court has said allow religious observance, it includes wazu from the pond. One cannot perform namaaz until he does wazu. The fountain can be preserved but the pond should be open,” he added.
He went on to accuse the Varanasi District Magistrate of collaborating with petitioners of the Hindu side. It should be noted that Varanasi DM has been charged with ensuring safety of the alleged ‘Shivling’ and unimpeded access to namazees into the compound.
Further talking about the top court’s order today, the AIMIM chief said, “Places of Worship Act 1991 was made to prevent future controversies.”
“The Supreme Court has said during its Ram Mandir hearing that the Act is a part of the Constitution’s basic structure. The court must walk the talk,” he added.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the Gyanvapi mosque case from the civil judge to the district judge, Varanasi.
A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and PS Narasimha ordered that a “senior and experienced” judicial officer of Uttar Pradesh Higher Judicial Service should examine the case.
It further ordered that its interim order passed on May 17 – to protect the area where the Shivling was found and access to Muslims for namaz – shall continue in operation till the maintainability of the suit is decided and thereafter for eight weeks to enable parties to pursue legal remedies.
The top court further asked District Magistrate Varanasi to make alternate arrangements for Wazu after consulting the parties.
It has now posted the matter for hearing in July second week.
