The Ayodhya land dispute case is being heard by the Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer.

On Friday (July 6), Senior Counsel Rajeev Dhavan appearing for the Sunni Wakf Board started the arguments saying that high court’s decision not to accept the mosque as an essential part of Islam was wrong. The congregation of people for offering namaaz at a mosque is an essential part of Islam. The Muslims congregate in mosques on Friday to offer namaaz just like Christians congregate in Churches on Sundays to offer prayers.

“Mosques are not built for fun. Hundreds congregate there to offer prayers, are they not an essential part of practice?” asked Dhavan.

Dhavan then said that a 5-member constitution bench should be formed to adjudicate especially whether mosques were essential part of Islam or not.

To which the bench said that they will consider it but they can’t overlook the judgment in 1995 Ismail Farooqui case by the high court which says that praying in the mosque is not an integral part of Islam. Here is the main question.

The matter has been listed for next hearing to July 13.

—India Legal Bureau