Gyanvapi row: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says Muslims should accept that there has been a historic mistake

Lucknow: Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the Gyanvapi in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has proposed a solution to avoid further disputes. He suggested that instead of labelling it as a ‘mosque complex’, it should be referred to as “Gyanvapi” to prevent unnecessary contention. Yogi Adityanath, who is also the head priest of the Gorakhnath Mutt in Gorakhpur, emphasised the importance of acknowledging the physical, scriptural, and archaeological evidence present inside the site.

During a podcast interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash, Adityanath questioned the presence of a trishul (trident) inside a mosque and highlighted the existence of security and dev pratimas (idols) within the complex. He urged that historical evidence should not be ignored or twisted for any purpose. Adityanath called for a proposal from the Muslim side to recognise the historical mistake, suggesting that a solution could be reached through mutual understanding.

“You can twist history, but not the historical evidence that the walls (of Gyanvapi) are screaming and saying. I feel that a proposal should also come from the Muslim side, accepting that there has been a historical mistake and that they should come up with a solution,” Yogi Adityanath remarked.

The Allahabad High Court is expected to rule on a petition against a lower court’s order for a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India within the mosque complex, excluding the ‘wuzukhana’ (fountain). The verdict is anticipated on August 3. The dispute escalated during a court-mandated survey on May 16 last year, when a structure claimed to be a “Shivling” by the Hindu side and a “fountain” by the Muslim side was discovered within the mosque premises.

During the interview, Yogi Adityanath also emphasised the importance of focusing on development and urged the Muslim community to work towards progress. He cautioned against repeating the mistakes of the past and referred to the situation in Pakistan, where he stated that the repercussions of their actions were evident in the country’s challenges and struggles.