Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described it as "unfortunate" to refer to Gyanvapi as a mosque, asserting that it is the "embodiment of Lord Vishwanath himself."
Speaking at the inauguration of an international seminar on "Contribution of Nath Panth in Building a Harmonious Society" at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, Adityanath highlighted the spiritual significance of Kashi and Gyanvapi. He also detailed an anecdote about the legendary sage Adi Shankar and his "encounter" with Lord Vishwanath in Kashi.
The Gyanvapi issue has sparked a prolonged legal battle, with the Hindu side claiming that the Gyanvapi mosque was built over an existing temple, a claim contested by the Muslim side.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) criticised Adityanath's remark, while the BJP and some Ayodhya saints defended him.
SP spokesperson Abbas Haidar told PTI, "It appears that he (Yogi Adityanath) does not respect the court. The matter is pending, and it is unfortunate that the chief minister, despite his oath to the Constitution, seems to disregard the court. For his political gain, he is dividing society."
In response, UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla told PTI, "Historic, archaeological, and spiritual evidence clearly indicate that Gyanvapi is a temple."
Raju Das, Mahant of Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi temple, added, "Only those who are unfortunate call Gyanvapi a mosque. It is Vishwanath himself, a temple of Kashi Vishwanath. Even a blind person would feel all the symbols of 'Sanatan' if they touched it."
The two-day seminar, organised in collaboration with the Hindustani Academy, Prayagraj, aimed to discuss the contributions of the Nath Panth to social unity. Adityanath highlighted the tradition of Indian saints, which has consistently promoted inclusivity and equality. He emphasised that physical untouchability impedes both spiritual practice and national unity.
On Hindi Diwas, Adityanath praised Hindi as a practical language for uniting the country, derived from Sanskrit, the language of the gods. He referenced Bharatendu Harishchandra’s concept of 'Nij Bhasha Unnati,' noting that Harishchandra’s passion for the language continues to inspire.
"If our language and sentiments are not our own, progress will be hindered at every level," he said.
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