Court sides with Hindu extremists in bid to pray in historic Gyanvapi mosque

A Varanasi court has allowed Hindus to pray in the sealed basement of the historic Gyanvapi Mosque, which Hindu extremists have been seeking to take control over and convert to a temple for years. Already, the mosque’s ablution fountain – which Hindu extremists baselessly claimed is a representation of the deity Shiva – has been sealed off from Muslim use. 

The ruling was praised by the violent Hindu militant group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which has a long history of engaging in mass violence against Muslims and other minorities. 

The caretakers of Gyanvapi Mosque continue to fight several legal battles against Hindu extremists seeking to take the mosque away from Muslims. 

Christians targeted by Hindu extremists in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan

Christians throughout India continue to be the target of Hindu supremacist hate and violence. In Chirawa, Rajasthan, local Hindu extremists put locks on a government school after accusing one of its teachers of promoting Christianity. 

In Balrampur, Chhattisgarh, members of the extremist group Hindu Mahasabha attacked a Christian prayer meet over allegations of forced conversions, landing five Christians in police custody.

Extremist leader says Hindus will “step on [Muslims’] chests and build temples”

In Agra, Uttar Pradesh, prominent Hindu extremist leader Pravin Togadia gave a speech threatening Muslims with violence if they resist Hindu efforts to destroy historic mosques in Mathura and Varanasi – namely, the Shahi Eidgah and Gyanvapi mosques – and build Hindu temples over them. 

“We will step on their chests and build the temples,” Togadia said.