Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh – On the occasion of Hindi Day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a controversial statement declaring that the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi is the true embodiment of Lord Vishwanath. He criticized the current reference to Gyanvapi as a mosque, calling it unfortunate.
The Gyanvapi Controversy
Speaking at a Hindi Day event at the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, CM Yogi recounted the story of Adi Shankar and his devotion to Gyanvapi. He asserted that the Gyanvapi, which was the focus of Adi Shankar’s penance, is mistakenly viewed as a mosque today. According to Yogi, Gyanvapi represents Lord Shiva and is misunderstood.
Previous Comments by CM Yogi
This is not the first time CM Yogi has commented on the Gyanvapi issue. In an interview last July, he had warned that calling Gyanvapi a mosque could lead to controversy. He questioned how tridents and deity idols ended up inside the mosque.
Adi Shankar’s Story
CM Yogi narrated the story of Adi Shankar’s visit to Kashi (Varanasi) and his encounter with Lord Vishwanath. According to the story, when Adi Shankar arrived in Kashi, Lord Vishwanath, in the guise of a Chandala (outcaste), challenged the authenticity of Adi Shankar’s non-dualistic knowledge. This story was used by CM Yogi to emphasize that Gyanvapi is a symbol of Lord Shiva.
Other Comments by CM Yogi on Hindi Day
- Role of Hindi: CM Yogi highlighted Hindi as a unifying statutory language of the country, rooted in Sanskrit. He regarded it as the foundation of all Indian languages and dialects.
- Language and Progress: He noted that failing to embrace one’s language could hinder progress. He mentioned the availability of medical and engineering courses in Hindi as a positive development.
- Gorakhnath and Saint Literature: CM Yogi emphasized the role of Mahayogi Gorakhnath in uniting different sections of society, reflecting his contribution to various communities.
Background of the Gyanvapi Controversy
The Gyanvapi Mosque controversy dates back to 1669 when Emperor Aurangzeb allegedly demolished part of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to construct the Gyanvapi Mosque. The Hindu side claims that the mosque was built over a self-manifested Jyotirlinga of Lord Vishveshwar. Several petitions regarding the ownership of the Gyanvapi complex are currently pending in the Allahabad High Court, and an ASI survey of the site has recently been completed.
CM Yogi’s statement may influence the ongoing Gyanvapi Mosque dispute and could have significant political and religious ramifications. His remarks and the story of Adi Shankar add a new dimension to the controversy surrounding Gyanvapi.