On September 14, while addressing a gathering at Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reiterated that Gyanvapi which is being contested by Hindus and Muslim sides in the court is actually Bhagwan Vishwanath himself. He added, the structure is’unfortunately’ termed a mosque. This has sparked a controversy drawing ire from different sections of the society.
Notably, at the gathering CM said, “Durbhagya se Gyanvapi ko log doosre shabdon mein masjid kahte hain…lekin Gyanvapi sakshat Vishwanath Ji hain, (Unfortunately, people call Gyanvapi with different names, but Gyanvapi is an embodiment of Lord Vishwanath himself.)”
He further reiterated that devotees visiting the site retreat the fact that the confusion over the true identity of the structure or it being called a ‘Mosuqe’ is the biggest hurdle not just because it is affecting the worshippers or their visits to the site but also the unity and integrity of the nation.
He further added, “Had our society ever understood and identified this hurdle in the past, our country would have never been colonised.”
CM Yogi made these remarks while he was at the event to inaugrate an international seminar on “Contribution of Nath Panth in Building a Harmonious Society” at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University. He also highligted the cultural and spiritual relevence of Kashi.
He shared a short story to support his comment on Kashi where he recalled how Bhagwan Shiva disguised as a lower-caste man, tested Adi Shankaracharya8185 in Varanasi by challenging his understanding of non-duality. As per the story, Acharya had sought to know the true identity of the ‘low-caste man’. CM Yogi narrated that this is when Shiva told Acharya that he was ‘Vishwanath’ for whose worship the former had come to Kashi.
While referring to the report recently released by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) he added, “There will be a dispute if I call Gyanvapi a mosque….those who the God has given sight should see, what’s a trident doing inside a mosque? We didn’t keep it there, the walls (of Gyanvapi) are screaming. There is a jyotirlinga, there are many idols”, reported Deccan Herald.
During his speech, the CM highlighted the enduring tradition of saints and sages, portraying it as a unifying force for both society and the nation.
He also shared the tale of Adi Shankar, a spiritual leader from Kerala, who established religious centres in various corners of India.
“When Adi Shankar visited Kashi, Lord Vishwanath decided to test him. One morning, as Adi Shankar was on his way to bathe in the Ganga, Lord Vishwanath, disguised as an untouchable, appeared before him. When Adi Shankar asked him to step aside, Lord Vishwanath, still in that form, said to him, ‘If you are truly full of advaita knowledge, you should not see only the physical body. If Brahma is the ultimate truth, then I possess the same Brahma as you’,” he said.
According to the CM, when a stunned Adi Shankar asked him who he was, he replied, “Jis Gyanvapi ki saadhna ke liye – durbhagya se uss Gyanvapi ko aaj log dusre shabdon mein masjid kehte hain lekin woh Gyanvapi saakshaat Vishwanath hi hain – jis Gyanvapi ki upasana ke liye aap chal kar yahan aaye hain, main uska saakshaat swaroop Vishwanath hoon (The Gyanvapi for whose worship you have come here – unfortunately some people today call it a mosque, but Gyanvapi is Lord Vishwanath himself – I am its embodiment.)”, Indian Express reported.
“The tradition of saints never prioritised untouchability within society, and this is also the ethos of the Nathpanth. The Nathpanth respects all castes, sects, religions, and regions, striving to bring everyone together,” he said.
Reacting to what the CM said, UP chief minister, SP spokesperson Abbas Haidar said, “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.”
He further added, “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.
