After the order of ASI survey of Gyanvapi campus by Varanasi District Court of UP, the process will start from Monday. The ASI team will reach Gyanvapi campus at 7 am and start its survey. According to the information, the ASI has to submit its survey report to the district court of Varanasi by August 4. The team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reached Varanasi with all the equipment. The ASI team held a meeting with the Varanasi commissioner till late night. Let us tell you that today the survey will start before the hearing in the Supreme Court.
Let us tell you that a demand was made by the Hindu side to conduct an ASI survey of the entire Gyanvapi campus except the Vaju Khana. On this, District Judge Dr. Ajay Krishna Vishwesh Court had reserved its decision on July 14 after hearing both the Hindu and Muslim sides. After this, the court had ordered the District Judge to conduct a survey by the ASI except for the Vaju Khana of Gyanvapi Masjid.
The order said that the Director of ASI should conduct a detailed scientific investigation using GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) survey, excavation, dating method and other modern techniques of the present structure. So that it can be ascertained whether it has been constructed over the pre-existing structure of the Hindu temple.
However, the demand of the Hindu parties was opposed by the Muslim side and the Masjid Committee in the court. On May 16, 2023, the Hindu side had given an application on behalf of the four plaintiff women, in which it was demanded that except for the Vajukhana of the Gyanvapi mosque, the rest of the premises should be investigated by the ASI.
What is the claim of the Hindu side?
Hindu activists are claiming that a temple previously existed at the site and was demolished in the 17th century on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The Hindu side appreciated the order of the court. A crowd of people outside the court raised slogans of “Har Har Mahadev”.
The counsel for the Hindu side said that the situation would become clear after examining the three domes of the Gyanvapi complex, the western wall and the entire complex in a modern way.
What is the say of the Muslim side?
Mosque management’s lawyer Mohammad Tauheed Khan said that he would challenge the order of the Varanasi court. He said that this is not acceptable and we will go to the higher court against it. This survey can cause damage to the mosque. At the same time, the mosque management said that the structure is part of the water fountain in the ‘Wazukhana’.
When did the court agree to hear the petition?
The Varanasi district court had on May 16 agreed to hear a plea for an ASI survey following the Allahabad High Court’s order. Earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered the security of the area around the claimed ‘Shivling’.