UP CM Yogi Adityanath urges muslim petitioners in Gyanvapi Mosque Case to address historical mistake

On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made statements urging Muslim petitioners in the Gyanvapi mosque case to propose a plan to rectify what he termed a "historical mistake" in the ongoing dispute between Hindu and Muslim groups concerning the Gyanvapi mosque issue.

During an interview conducted just three days before the anticipated verdict by the Allahabad High Court, Adityanath expressed his views on the matter. The court had previously halted the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, which was ordered by a court in Varanasi to determine whether the mosque was built on a temple.

Adityanath raised concerns about the presence of symbols of Hindu deities and a trishul (trident) inside the mosque, arguing that such elements have led to the dispute. He called on Muslim groups to acknowledge the historical significance and address the perceived mistake.

The Allahabad High Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on August 3rd regarding the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque. Until then, the court has put a stop to the ASI's survey.

In response to Adityanath's remarks, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the Chief Minister's statements as "judicial overreach." Owaisi pointed out that the UP CM was aware that a Muslim group had already opposed the ASI survey in the Allahabad High Court. He further argued that Adityanath's comments before the court's verdict were contentious and amounted to judicial overreach.