Shillong, July 24: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to start a survey of the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi mosque from Monday, despite facing a petition in the Supreme Court filed by the mosque management committee against the court’s order allowing the examination.
The development follows a recent order by the Varanasi district judge, directing ASI to conduct a comprehensive survey of the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi Masjid, excluding the sealed section. The investigation aims to ascertain if the mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple.
As per IANS, Varanasi District Magistrate S. Rajalingam confirmed that the ASI survey will commence on Monday, with all parties involved in the matter informed about it. Tight security arrangements have been put in place during the survey.
The court has asked ASI to submit a report by August 4, while excluding the sealed section, where Hindus claim to have found a Shivling, while Muslims consider it part of a fountain.
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi mosque, has challenged the court’s order, stating that the mosque has always existed in the current location and was not constructed over a temple.
Advocate Anupam Dwivedi, representing plaintiff Rakhi Singh, will be present during the ASI survey on behalf of the Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh International Chief.
The court order came in response to applications filed by four Hindu women plaintiffs, seeking the right of unhindered worship at the Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal. The court ordered the use of modern techniques, including GPR Survey, excavation, and dating methods, to investigate the mosque’s construction history.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, the ASI’s survey aims to shed light on the historical origins of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.
