Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Objects to Gyanvapi Mosque Being Called a Muslim Place of Worship, Declares It a 'Temple of Lord Shiva'

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday expressed his objection to Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque being called a Muslim place of worship and said it is not a mosque but a 'temple of Lord Shiva'. Addressing a gathering at an event in UP's Gorakhpur, the chief minister said, "Unfortunately, people call this Gyanvapi a mosque, but it is actually 'Vishwanath' (Lord Shiva) himself." Yogi Adityanath further said that devotees visiting the site regret that this confusion over its true identity or name is the biggest hurdle not only in the way of offering worship and prayers at the site but also to national unity and integrity.

"If our society had ever understood and recognised this hurdle earlier, our country would never have been colonised," the chief minister said.

On CM Yogi's statement, Congress leader Danish Ali said, "...BJP and Yogi Adityanath have nothing left to tell the public. In the 2024 elections, Uttar Pradesh suffered a miserable loss and such statements are being made out of fear of the by-elections that are about to take place... The public has approved that 'the wooden pot does not work again and again'... This is a country of mixed culture. That is why my India is great because here there are people of different religions and castes..."

In this statement of CM Yogi, Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, National President of All India Muslim Jamaat, said that Gyanvapi Masjid is a historical mosque, its date is several hundred years old. The statement given by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji that it is unfortunate to call Gyanvapi a mosque, it is Vishwanath temple, this statement of his does not suit his tongue. Because he is sitting on a responsible chair, he is the Chief Minister of every person whether someone voted or not.

Maulana praised the Chief Minister and said that he has taken better steps in the matter of law and order, it is the responsibility of the Chief Minister of the state to work for every person and maintain law and order so that the people living in the state can live their daily life with peace and tranquility. The matter of Gyanvapi Mosque is pending under the courts, in such circumstances, the process of law can be affected by this statement of the Chief Minister, so the Chief Minister should refrain from making religious statements.