After Hindu idols were discovered, an Indian court banned big Muslim gatherings at mosques

NEW DELHI: A court in north India on Monday ordered authorities to limit large Muslim prayer gatherings in the historic Gyanvapi mosque after a survey team found relics of the Hindu god Shiva and other Hindu symbols there, lawyers involved in the case said.

After a survey team discovered relics of the Hindu god Shiva and other Hindu symbols at the old Gyanvapi mosque in north India on Monday, a court ordered officials to ban big Muslim prayer gatherings there. According to lawyers involved in this case. 

Hindu groups say that as part of their expansionist agenda in the subcontinent, Islamic invaders and Muslim kings destroyed Hindu temples to build mosques or mausoleums on top of them throughout their 200-year rule.

One of three large mosques in northern Uttar Pradesh is the Gyanvapi mosque, which is located in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary seat. It was allegedly created after a historic temple was demolished, according to prominent organisations.

The judge ruled that Muslims were not allowed to have big prayer gatherings inside the mosque.