Uttar Pradesh: Gyanvapi Mosque Complex Scientific Survey Is Permitted By Varanasi Court
On Friday, a court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, granted permission for the Archaeological examination of India (ASI) to conduct a scientific examination of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex. The decree is the result of a petition by ardent Hindus.
The lawyer for the Hindu petitioners, Vishnu Shankar Jain, informed the media of the development.
In a statement to the media, he said, “I have been informed that my application has been approved, and the court has directed to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding the Wazu tank which has been sealed.”
Five Hindu devotees first petitioned for the permission to do daily prayers in front of Hindu statues on the outside walls of Gyanvapi Mosque in August 2021. This petition served as the basis for all subsequent petitions pertaining to the Gyanvapi complex. An order for a videography survey was made at the petition hearing. During the inspection, the ‘Shivling’ was discovered in the mosque next to the ‘wazookhana’, or ablution pond.
Five Hindu devotees first petitioned for the permission to do daily prayers in front of Hindu statues on the outside walls of Gyanvapi Mosque in August 2021. This petition served as the basis for all subsequent petitions pertaining to the Gyanvapi complex. An order for a videography survey was made at the petition hearing. During the inspection, the ‘Shivling’ was discovered in the mosque next to the ‘wazookhana’, or ablution pond.
The petition filed by the Hindu group had requested a directive to ASI to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex, according to PTI. “The court of A K Vishvesh upheld the petition of a group of Hindu devotees seeking a scientific survey to determine if the mosque was built at the site of a Hindu temple,” the news outlet added.
According to PTI, the Muslim side had objected to the request, claiming that an ASI survey may harm the complex.
The arguments were heard in the petition regarding the ASI survey on July 14, and the decision was delayed until July 21 (Friday).
India Today reported on Friday that the survey request had been granted by the court, and the ASI had until August 4 to deliver its findings.
“As requested by the Hindu parties in the dispute, the Varanasi Court permits the scientific assessment of the grounds around the Gyanvapi Mosque. By August 4th, the final report must be submitted by the Archeological Survey of India, according to India Today.
The arguments were heard in the petition regarding the ASI survey on July 14, and the decision was delayed until July 21 (Friday).
India Today reported on Friday that the survey request had been granted by the court, and the ASI had until August 4 to deliver its findings.
“As requested by the Hindu parties in the dispute, the Varanasi Court permits the scientific assessment of the grounds around the Gyanvapi Mosque. By August 4th, the final report must be submitted by the Archeological Survey of India, according to India Today.
