Indian American Muslim Council on Tuesday released a statement strongly condemning Varanasai court’s order to seal parts of the historic Gyanvapi mosque over “Shiva Linga” claims by the Hindu petitioner.
“A local court has ordered the authorities to immediately seal a portion of the mosque, literally giving legal cover to the Hindu supremacist drives of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and its militant affiliates,” reads the statement posted on Twitter.
The move by the local court has sparked strong resentment from the Muslim community. Many community leaders say it is the preparation for another Babri incident.
“Indian Americans are extremely alarmed by the latest court order, which could potentially pave the way for the replay of Babri Masjid,” said Rasheed Ahmed, Executive Director of IAMC.
“These Hindu extremist groups have long been targeting and trying to ignite a dispute by manipulating history and falsely claiming that Mughals destroyed a temple to build the Gyanvapi mosque and countless other mosques…”
“It also puts spotlight on the rot that infests the Indian judiciary, which is actively facilitating the Hindu rightwing’s project of converting India into a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation),” Ahmed added.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear a plea by the Committee of Management of Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, Varanasi, challenging the videography survey ordered by a local court of the Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal in the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
The Muslim body contends that it is contrary to provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991.
“Gyanvapi mosque has long been on the hit list of the Hindu rightwing, especially after the favorable judgment given by the Supreme Court in the Babri Masjid case in 2019,” said Syed Ali, President of IAMC.
In all possibilities, the latest development could be used to whip up the communal sentiments and further the genocidal campaign against the Muslims of India,” Ali added
