"Solution can be found through dialogue": BJP leader Mohsin Raza on Gyanvapi issue

Aug 03, 2023

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 3 : Mohsin Raza, BJP leader and UP Haj Committee Chairman on Thursday suggested that the solution to the Gyanvapi Mosque complex issue could be found through dialogue.
He encouraged Muslim religious leaders and the Anjuman committee to take a big step forward in finding other ways to resolve the issue after the verdict pronounced by the Allahabad High Court.
“A solution can be found through dialogue. If you start a dialogue, a better solution might emerge. Therefore, our Muslim religious leaders and the Anjuman committee should take a big step forward so that some other ways can be found,” said Mohsin Raza, BJP leader and UP Haj Committee Chairman.
Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court has allowed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi.
The Muslim side had challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, but they were asked to go to the High Court.
The ASI submitted an affidavit stating that there will be no damage to the structure of the Mosque and that the Wazu Khana, where a Shivaling was found, will not be touched.
Meanwhile, Madan Mohan Yadav, a petitioner's counsel for the Hindu side, welcomed the verdict and called it a historic decision. He said that this should have been done earlier.

“The honourable Allahabad High Court has ordered the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey at Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi. The Muslim side had challenged the Supreme Court, and they were asked to go to the High Court. ASI has submitted an affidavit mentioning that there won’t be any damage to the structure of the Mosque. The Wazu Khana, where Shivaling is found, won’t be touched. We are very happy with the Allahabad High Court’s verdict. This is a historic decision. This should have been done very early,” said Madan Mohan Yadav. 
On the other hand, representing the Muslim side, AIMPLB member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali expressed hope that justice would be done. He also called for the enforcement of the Places of Worship Act at all places of worship in the country and said that the Muslim side will consider approaching the Supreme Court to challenge this order.
"We are hopeful that justice will be done as this mosque is around 600 years old and Muslims have been offering namaz there for the last 600 years. We also want the Places of Worship Act to be enforced at all places of worship in the country. The Muslim side will think about approaching SC and challenging this order," says AIMPLB member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali
In response to the Allahabad High Court allowing an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, various political leaders have expressed their opinions. 
Samajwadi Party MP Dr ST Hasan said that "We will abide by the orders of the court....". and called for communal harmony and national integration. 

“Today, our country needs communal harmony and national integration. No statement should be made that creates differences between people in the country," Hasan says on UP CM Yogi Adityanath's statement on Gyanvapi.
UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya welcomed the verdict and expressed confidence that the truth will come out after the ASI survey. 
“I welcome this verdict. I am confident that the truth will come out after the ASI survey and that the Gyanvapi issue will be resolved,” said UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah commented on the issue, saying that God is one and can be seen in either a mandir or a mosque.
Former Jammu and Kashmir CM and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah says, "Be it a mandir or a mosque, God is one. You can either see him (God) in a mandir or a mosque."
The Gyanvapi Mosque complex has been at the centre of a dispute between Hindus and Muslims, with both sides claiming ownership of the land.