“What is a ‘Trishul’ doing inside Gyanvapi mosque?” UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Yogi stated that the Muslim side should own its historical error and offer a solution in an interview with ANI. Yogi’s comments coincide with the continuing controversy over the Gyanvapi issue between the Hindu and Muslim parties. When asked about a possible solution for the Gyanvapi and Kashi Vishwanath issue he said, “If we call Gyanvapi a mosque then there will be a dispute. I think people should examine what is a ‘Trishul‘ doing inside Gyanvapi, Hindus did not place them there. There is jyotirling, idols of god.” He later added, “I think that the Muslim side should accept its historical mistake and propose a solution.”

An ASI survey of the entire land, excluding the disputed portions of the Gyanvapi buildings, had already been mandated by the Varanasi District Court. The Supreme Court has received a challenge to this order from the mosque committee. Later, the Supreme Court stopped the survey by transferring the case to the high court. In order to ascertain whether the Gyanvapi buildings were built upon a temple, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has sought the assistance of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur.

A Varanasi district court granted the ASI permission to conduct a scientific assessment of the mosque from the 17th century on July 21. On July 24, however, the Supreme Court overturned the Varanasi court’s decision and instructed the mosque committee to appeal the district court’s ruling to the Allahabad High Court. The stay on the ASI survey was extended by the Allahabad High Court till 3 August when it reserved its decision in the case on July 27.

He was also asked about his thoughts on the creation of the new opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A. about which the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh said that changing the attire (name) will not free them from the mistakes committed in the past.