Varanasi Official To Hold Meeting For 'Wazu' Arrangements At Gyanvapi Mosque During Ramzan: Supreme Court

The Varanasi District Collector has been directed by the Supreme Court to organise a meeting to establish suitable working conditions for 'wazu', a ritual ablution performed by Muslim devotees, at the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

The directive was issued on Monday in response to a plea filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee seeking permission for performance of 'wazu' at the mosque during the month of Ramzan.

The Supreme Court mentioned its previous order from 20 May 2022, where it had instructed the provision of facilities such as washrooms and 'wazu' for devotees following the closure of specific areas within the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed a bench consisting of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala that a meeting would be conducted on Tuesday to address the matter of 'wazu' facilities.

"The Solicitor General assures the court that a meeting shall be convened tomorrow by the district collector so that a congenial working arrangement is provided," the bench noted.

The bench further said that the management committee of the mosque expressed their contentment if mobile toilets were provided for the devotees.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for the case on Friday. It has directed that if a solution is discovered during the meeting arranged by the Varanasi district collector, it can be implemented immediately.

A formal order regarding the matter may be issued on the next hearing date.