VARANASI: An Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team arrived at the Gyanvapi mosque complex here on Saturday morning to continue the court-ordered scientific survey of the complex, which is adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple but does not include Wuzu Khana. The survey began around 9:00 a.m. today, despite tight security. The scientific survey of the complex began on Friday amid tight security, following an order from the Allahabad High Court allowing the ASI to conduct the survey to determine whether the mosque was built on top of an existing temple.
According to Sudhir Tripathi, a Hindu lawyer, the scientific survey will clear everything up. “The survey is on its second day. We want people to participate in the survey and complete it as soon as possible. We are fully cooperating and participating. They have arrived at the request of the Supreme Court. We appreciate it. We want to resolve this situation as soon as possible.
“The survey will clear everything up,” the lawyer promised.
The Muslim party, On Thursday, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee filed a petition in Allahabad High Court, challenging a Varanasi court order allowing the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, except the ‘Wazukhana’ area where a “Shivling” was allegedly discovered last year.
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had appealed the July 21 order of the Varanasi District Judge. On July 21, Varanasi district judge AK Vishvesha ordered an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex on an application filed on May 16, 2023, by four Hindu women. The district judge’s order, however, excluded the complex’s Wuzu Khana (ablution pond area), which the Supreme Court had sealed.
The Supreme Court declined to stay the ASI scientific survey earlier on Friday. ASI has clarified that the entire survey will be completed without any excavation or damage to the structure, according to a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The bench directed that the entire scientific survey process be carried out using non-invasive methods.
“We reiterate the High Court’s direction that there shall be no excavation,” the Supreme Court stated.
The bench noted that the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court took note of ASI’s affidavit that no excavation will take place during the survey and that no part of the wall, etc., will be touched. The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has filed an appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s order allowing ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque grounds.
During the hearing, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmad, representing the mosque committee, objected to the survey, saying that if someone now comes and files a frivolous plea claiming that there is a monument beneath this structure, the court will order an ASI survey. DY Chandrachud, CJI, responded, “What is frivolous to you is faith in the other side.”
The ASI affidavit filed before the High Court, according to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for Uttar Pradesh, states that no drilling or stone cutting will be done from the existing structure, no wall or structure will be damaged, and it will be done in a non-destructive manner.
Huzefa stated that conducting a survey is similar to uncovering old woThe results of this survey will be presented in the form of a report. If you achieve maintainability tomorrow, it will be nothing more than a piece of paper.
unds, which is what the Places of Worship Act sought to prohibit. He said, “You’re tending to old wounds.”
Despite your assurances that there will be no damage to the structure, Justice Pardiwala informed Huzefa that you are opposed to the survey. The results of this survey will be presented in the form of a report. If you achieve maintainability tomorrow, it will be nothing more than a piece of paper.
Let the ASI conduct the survey, Justice Pardiwala said.
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