BJP taking country back to 1990s: Asaduddin Owaisi slams ruling party over Gyanvapi mosque row

Amidst the ongoing Gyanvapi Mosque row, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday slammed the BJP for "taking the country back to 1990s when riots ensued".

He said that the "discovery" inside the mosque is a fountain and not a 'Shivling' as claimed by Hindu lawyers during the videography and survey at the mosque premises.

"The Supreme Court order states that Muslims are allowed religious observance which means we can perform wazu there. It's a fountain. If it happens like this then all the fountains of the Taj Mahal must be shut down. BJP wants to take the country back to 1990s when riots ensued," Owaisi said.

Also Read — Gyanvapi mosque 'discovery': A Shivling or a fountain?

Both the Supreme Court and Varanasi court had taken important decisions in the case on Tuesday. The Supreme Court directed the district magistrate of Varanasi to ensure the protection of the area inside the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex where a 'Shivling' was said to be found. However, the court said that this must be done without affecting the right of Muslims to offer prayer at the mosque.

Effectively, the top court stayed the Varanasi court's May 16 order to seal the area and prohibit the entry of people.

Also Read — Protect area of 'Shivling' but no restriction for Namaz: SC on Gyanvyapi mosque complex

However, proceedings in the Varanasi civil court have not been stayed.

The Varanasi court granted the team tasked with conducting a videography survey of the disputed complex two more days to file its report.

The court also removed Advocate Commissioner Ajay Mishra for displaying "irresponsible behaviour towards the discharge of his duties" after it was alleged that he had deployed a personal cameraman to leak information to the media.

(With inputs from IANS)