Why look for a shivling in masjids when we consider all form of worship holy: RSS chief

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversy over the filming of the Gyanvapi mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that history cannot be changed and asked: "why look for a Shivling in every masjid".

He made the remarks at the conclusion ceremony of an organisation training programme in Maharashtra's Nagpur.

"Gyanvapi matter is ongoing. We can't change history. Neither today's Hindus nor today's Muslims created it. It happened at that time. Islam came from outside via attackers. In the attacks, Devsthans were demolished to exhaust the morale of those who wanted India's independence," Mr Bhagwat further said.

Calling for a "path through mutual agreement" on the controversy, Mr. Bhagwat said the RSS is not opposed to any form of worship and considers all of them holy.

"We have no opposition against any form of worship; we accept them all and consider all of them holy. They may have adopted that form of worship, but they are descendants of our rishis, munis, and Kshatriyas. We are descendants of the same ancestors," he said.

Hindu and Muslim petitioners are fighting a legal battle over court-ordered filming of the mosque complex to check whether there are idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses and whether a "Shivling" has been found, as claimed by the Hindu petitioners.

The Varanasi district court on Monday deferred till July 4 a hearing on the Gyanvapi masjid committee's petition challenging the maintainability of a suit filed by Hindu women

The Gyanvapi mosque stands next to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple. Five women petitioners asked the court to allow daily prayers before idols on its outer walls as well as other "visible and invisible deities within the old temple complex". The site is currently open for prayers once a year.