Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made headlines on Saturday with his comments on the Gyanvapi mosque. Speaking at an international seminar on the “Contribution of Nath Panth in Building a Harmonious Society” at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, Adityanath described Gyanvapi as the “embodiment of Lord Vishwanath himself” and criticized those who refer to it as a mosque.
“It is unfortunate that some people refer to Gyanvapi as a mosque while it is the embodiment of Lord Vishwanath himself,” Adityanath stated. He also shared an anecdote about the legendary sage Adi Shankar’s “encounter” with Lord Vishwanath in Kashi, further emphasizing the spiritual significance of the site.
The Gyanvapi issue, which involves claims that the mosque was built on the remnants of a pre-existing Hindu temple, has been the subject of prolonged legal disputes. The Hindu side argues for the temple’s primacy, while the Muslim side contests these claims.
The Chief Minister’s remarks have drawn criticism from various quarters. Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson Abbas Haidar accused Adityanath of disrespecting the judiciary, stating, “It seems that he does not give respect to the court. The matter is pending in the court, and it is unfortunate that the chief minister, who has taken an oath of the Constitution, is not respecting the court’s proceedings.”
In contrast, UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla defended Adityanath’s comments, asserting, “Historic, archaeological and spiritual evidence categorically indicate that Gyanvapi is a temple.” Additionally, Mahant Raju Das of Ayodhya’s Hanumangarhi temple supported the Chief Minister’s view, claiming that “only foolish people call it a mosque.”
The seminar, organized in collaboration with the Hindustani Academy, Prayagraj, also highlighted the Nath Panth’s role in promoting social unity and inclusivity. On Hindi Day, Adityanath praised Hindi as a “unifying force” for the nation and lauded the central government’s efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote the language.
