Varanasi: Amid the ongoing legal dispute over the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi, efforts to resolve the matter through dialogue appear to be gaining momentum. After the Supreme Court suggested mediation, the Muslim side has convened an important meeting on Monday to discuss the way forward. The participants are expected to deliberate on how to pursue negotiations outside the courtroom, though any final decision will require the agreement of all stakeholders.
Why did the stir increase after the Supreme Court’s initiative?
During the recent hearing, the Supreme Court had indicated that solutions to some of the major religious disputes in the country can also be found through mutual dialogue. After this, discussion started on the possibility of dialogue between the two parties in the Gyanvapi case also. The court did not force any party to negotiate but said that the option of mediation should be kept open if an agreement is reached.
What will happen in the meeting of the Muslim side?
Representatives from the Muslim side and related organisations will meet on Monday to decide the future strategy. The meeting will discuss whether to join the negotiation process or not and, if so, then under what conditions it should proceed. The Muslim side will clarify its formal stand only after the meeting.
What does the Hindu side have to say?
The Hindu side associated with the Gyanvapi complex says that it is ready for every constitutional option along with the ongoing hearing in the court. However, the final decision regarding negotiations will depend on the consent and conditions of all concerned parties. At present, no official announcement of any agreement has been made by either party.
What will happen next?
After the outcome of the meeting of the Muslim side, it will be clear whether any concrete initiative is taken towards dialogue to resolve the dispute or the matter will proceed completely through the judicial process. At present, various cases related to the Gyanvapi controversy are pending in the courts, and their hearing is going on as per rules.
Now everyone’s eyes are fixed on the outcome of the meeting because it will decide whether a new path of negotiation emerges in this decades-old dispute or the matter will proceed completely under the court process.
