Ganj Shaheeda Masjid Controversy: India has reacted strongly to the comments made by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari regarding a Muslim religious place in Varanasi. The Government of India has completely rejected these comments, calling them unnecessary interference in the internal affairs of the country. The Foreign Ministry said that Pakistan has no right to comment on India’s domestic affairs.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India clearly rejects the comments of the President of Pakistan. He said that the President of Pakistan has no right to speak on the internal affairs of India. India’s reaction came at a time when Pakistan had expressed concern about some historical Muslim religious places of India, including the Ganj Shaheeda Masjid located in Varanasi.
What is the matter of Ganj Shaheeda Masjid?
Ganj Shaheeda Masjid, located near Kashi railway station in Varanasi, is at the center of controversy. According to the Muslim side and the Mosque Committee Anjuman Arrangements Masjid, this mosque is about 992 to 1000 years old and was built in the year 1034 AD.
Now the Railways had pasted a notice on this and asked to remove it by June 20. A cemetery and many ancient tombs are also present in the mosque complex. The local Muslim community considers it an important religious and faith center.
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Is Ganj Shaheeda Masjid really 1000 years old?
Different claims and historical references come forward regarding this question. According to some local beliefs, traditional stories and media reports, this site is linked to the 11th century Muslim warrior Syed Salar Masood Ghazi. It is said that a large number of people died in the conflict that took place at that time, after which this place came to be known as ‘Ganj-e-Shaheeda’ i.e. “Abode of Martyrs”. On this basis, many people consider the history of this place to be about a thousand years old.
However, when official records and legal documents are looked at, a different picture emerges. According to historical and revenue records available with the Anjuman Arrangement Committee, which maintains the mosque, the present mosque was built in Hijri 1034, which is believed to be around 1624-25 AD. On this basis, the age of the existing mosque is approximately 400 years. Apart from this, this mosque is also mentioned in the government settlement maps and revenue records of 1883-84, which provides documentary evidence of its existence.
What did Asif say on Shaheeda Masjid?
According to Pakistan TV report, President Asif Ali Zardari, while referring to the Masjid Ganj Shaheeda of Varanasi, had demanded India to stop such action immediately. In a post issued by the official handle of the President of Pakistan on social media platform X, it was said that Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep concern over the demolition and threat to historical Muslim religious sites in India. The nearly 1000 year old mosque of Varanasi, Ganj Shaheedah, was also mentioned in the post. Along with this, he also demanded protection of minority rights and shared cultural heritage.
What answer did India give?
India reminded Pakistan of its human rights record. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan’s own human rights situation has been a topic of discussion all over the world. He alleged that Pakistan has a long history of systematically targeting and persecuting minorities of different religions. Randhir Jaiswal said, “Given this reality, the President’s comments appear to be merely a calculated political attack, inspired by Pakistan’s national policies based on bigotry and hatred.”
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