"Cleaning of Wazukhana from January 20": Varanasi DM after Supreme Court's order in Gyanvapi case

Varanasi: After the meeting of both the Muslim and Hindu sides regarding the Supreme Court's order to clean the 'Wazukhana' area of Gyanvapi Mosque on Thursday, District Magistrate S Rajalingam said that the cleaning of the area will start from January 20.
A meeting was held under the leadership of the District Magistrate along with people of Hindu and Muslim sides in Varanasi.
"Cleaning of Wazukhana was ordered by the court. Talks have been held with both parties in that regard. Its cleaning will start from January 20," the DM said.
Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, an Advocate of the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi Shringar Gauri case told ANI that both sides have talked peacefully in the meeting.
"The meeting was held regarding the cleaning of the Wazukhana. Both sides have talked peacefully. The court has ordered the DM to clean up. The Muslim side and we along with district officials were also present in the meetings," he said.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed an application of Hindu women petitioners seeking direction for cleaning the entire area of 'wazukhana' of Gyanvapi mosque where the alleged 'Shivling' was found and maintaining hygienic condition.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said the area of 'wazukhana' shall be cleaned under the supervision of district administration Varanasi, having regard to the previous orders of the apex court.
Gyanvapi mosque management committee said it supports cleaning of the water tank, which has remained sealed on apex court's orders for nearly two years.
'Wazukhana' is the reservoir where devotees perform ablutions before offering namaz.
The application said fishes in the water tank died between December 12 to 25, 2023 and due to the same, there is a putrid smell emitting from the tank.
"Since there exists Shivlingam which is sacred to Hindus and should be kept away from all dirt, grime, dead animals, etc. and must be in clean condition, is currently in the midst of dead fish which is hurtful to the sentiments to the devotees of Lord Shiva," the application stated.
The application filed through advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said fishes in the water tank have died and due to the same, there is a putrid smell emitting from the tank.
The 'Wazu' area of the Gyanvapi mosque is the centre of the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute between Hindus and Muslim parties in the case since the Hindu parties claim that 'Shivling' has been found in that spot, however, the Muslim side disputed the same and said that it is only a water fountain.