Vedic Sanatan Sangh chief urges Gyanvapi Masjid Committee to seek an out-of-court settlement

Varanasi: Jitendra Singh Visen, the international president of Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh (VVSS), has penned an open letter to the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC), inviting them to engage in discussions for an amicable out-of-court settlement in the ongoing Gyanvapi case.

Visen is also a pleader for plaintiff number 1 Rakhi Singh who demands a right to daily worship at Shringar Gauri Sthal in the Gyanvapi complex.

Visen's letter, addressed to the AIMC president, manager, and joint secretary, highlights the potential harm that the protracted legal battle could bring to both the country and society. "Some anti-social elements want to take advantage of this legal fight between the Hindu and Muslim sides for their personal gains, which can prove to be harmful to both the country and the society," Visen wrote.

The VVSS president emphasized the responsibility of all parties involved to set a peaceful example by resolving the matter through mutual negotiations. He stated, "Therefore, I request all of you to accept this invitation with an open and pious mind and come forward for talks to settle the above issue (the Gyanvapi matter). It is possible that a peaceful solution can be found outside the court of the above matter by mutual discussion. We welcome all of you to this talk with an open and pure heart."

While Visen released the open letter through the media, SM Yasin, the joint secretary of AIMC, confirmed that they had not yet received the letter. He added, "Let the letter come, after seeing it, we will make any comment on it."

The Gyanvapi case, initially filed by five women – Rakhi Singh, Rekha Pathak, Sita Sahu, Lakshmi Devi, and Manju Vyas – sought the right to daily worship at Shringar Gauri Sthal in the Gyanvapi complex. The case was transferred to the Varanasi district court last year, and the next hearing is scheduled for August 17, 2023.

Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, the counsel for the plaintiffs, commented on the development. "Our stand is clear that we will follow the legal way, which we followed in this matter since the beginning," Chaturvedi said. He also noted that the court had recently ordered an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey in the barricaded area of Gyanvapi, excluding its sealed area.

The invitation from VVSS has sparked anticipation regarding the potential for an alternative approach to resolving the Gyanvapi case, which has been closely watched by both communities and the public at large. As the date of the next court hearing approaches, all eyes remain on whether AIMC will accept the invitation for discussions and contribute to a peaceful resolution of the contentious matter.

With IANS inputs