Varanasi: Hundreds of Muslims offered namaz at the Gyanvapi mosque here on Friday amid tight security arrangements. Alternative arrangements for wuzu and toilets were made by district administration at some distance from the mosque. The district administration claimed that the Alvida-ki-Namaz passed off peacefully in the district.
As the Alvida-ki-Namaz took place at a time when process of finding solution to make arrangements for wuzu (ablution) and toilet in Gyanvapi mosque were underway in view the Supreme Court order, the police kept a sharp vigil in and around the Gyanvapi mosque.
District magistrate S Rajalingam said, “In view of the SC order, the administration heard all stakeholders but a consensus could not be reached on bringing a toilet on a waqf land. Thus, we placed a mobile toilet at some distance from the Gyanvapi mosque as a temporary arrangement which will continue till April 24. In view of the SC order, permission for placing some water tubs in Gyanvapi mosque would be given.”
Entry was given in the Gyanvapi mosque only after proper frisking. Deputy commissioner of police Kashi zone RS Gautam said that elaborate security arrangements had been made at Gyanvapi and all other mosques and idgahs of old city area to maintain law and order during Alvida-ki-Namaz which passed off peacefully.
The officials also remained vigilant across the district. Gautam said that peace committee meetings had already been organised in each police station and people had been sensitised to maintain peace during festivities. Meanwhile, markets of Dalmandi, Naisadak, Maidagin, Maldahiya, Sigra, Orderly Bazar, Pandeypur and others remained flooded with buyers in view of Eid.
As the Alvida-ki-Namaz took place at a time when process of finding solution to make arrangements for wuzu (ablution) and toilet in Gyanvapi mosque were underway in view the Supreme Court order, the police kept a sharp vigil in and around the Gyanvapi mosque.
District magistrate S Rajalingam said, “In view of the SC order, the administration heard all stakeholders but a consensus could not be reached on bringing a toilet on a waqf land. Thus, we placed a mobile toilet at some distance from the Gyanvapi mosque as a temporary arrangement which will continue till April 24. In view of the SC order, permission for placing some water tubs in Gyanvapi mosque would be given.”
Entry was given in the Gyanvapi mosque only after proper frisking. Deputy commissioner of police Kashi zone RS Gautam said that elaborate security arrangements had been made at Gyanvapi and all other mosques and idgahs of old city area to maintain law and order during Alvida-ki-Namaz which passed off peacefully.
The officials also remained vigilant across the district. Gautam said that peace committee meetings had already been organised in each police station and people had been sensitised to maintain peace during festivities. Meanwhile, markets of Dalmandi, Naisadak, Maidagin, Maldahiya, Sigra, Orderly Bazar, Pandeypur and others remained flooded with buyers in view of Eid.