VHP backs Yogi’s remarks, SP calls it divisive politics

Lucknow: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Saturday welcomed CM Yogi Adityanath's remarks on the Gyanvapi dispute.
VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal said the UP CM's statement should be taken seriously and urged for a swift resolution to the matter. He reiterated that Kashi, home to the Gyanvapi complex, is a historic religious and educational hub, where Adiguru Shankaracharya gained enlightenment.
Bansal asserted that invaders had attempted to occupy this revered land of Vishwanath Mahadev, and what some now refer to as a mosque is in fact the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiv. He stressed the importance of ‘liberating' the site. He argued that, based on its architecture, history, and religious significance, there should be no doubt that the place belongs to Lord Vishwanath.
The Samajwadi Party criticised the CM's statement. SP spokesperson Abbas Haidar said, "It seems that he (Yogi Adityanath) does not give respect to the court. The matter is pending in the court. It is unfortunate that the chief minister has taken the oath of the Constitution, but it seems he is not giving due respect to the court."
"For his vested political interests, he is dividing the society. The mandate given by the public to the BJP also indicates that they have not spoken on issues related to people," Haidar said.
UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla said, "Historic, archaeological and spiritual evidence categorically indicate that Gyanvapi is a temple."
Mahant of Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi temple Raju Das said, "It is only the unfortunate people who are calling Gyanvapi a mosque. It is itself Vishwanath, and a temple of Kashi Vishwanath. Even if a blind person puts his or her hand over the structure, he or she would get a feeling of all the symbols of 'Sanatan'.
"We have been continuously saying that it is a temple," he added.