In a latest twist surrounding the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, a caveat has been filed in the Supreme Court by the Hindu side, urging for a hearing before any decision is made regarding a potential appeal against the recent Allahabad High Court order. This order permitted the continuation of Hindu rituals, including puja, within a cellar located in a restricted zone of the mosque.

The caveat filed on February 27th by Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas brings attention to a longstanding dispute over the usage of one of the four cellars "tehkhanas," within the historic mosque premises. Built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the Gyanvapi Mosque has been a subject of contention between Hindu and Muslim communities.

The crux of the matter lies in the Vyas family's claim to one of the cellars, where they have conducted prayers and rituals for over two centuries. Referred to as "Vyasji ki gaddi," the cellar was historically occupied by the Vyas family, but their practices were halted in December 1993.

In 2023, Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas petitioned a Varanasi court seeking permission to resume Hindu rituals within the cellar. The court's ruling on January 31st granted permission for a priest to conduct prayers at regular intervals, with the nominee appointed by the Kashi Vishwanath temple trust and the petitioner.

However, the decision faced immediate opposition from the Masjid Intezamia Committee of the Gyanvapi Mosque, which vowed to challenge the ruling in the Allahabad High Court. The High Court, through Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal's bench, dismissed the plea on February 26th, deeming the Uttar Pradesh government's restriction on puja within the cellar as unlawful.

The verdict from the Allahabad High Court intensifies the legal battle surrounding the usage of the cellar within the Gyanvapi Mosque. With both Hindu and Muslim sides adamant in their positions, the case has sparked debates over religious rights, historical ownership, and the delicate balance between communal harmony and legal entitlements.