Allahabad High Court Allows ASI Survey of Gyanvapi Mosque Complex, Hindu Side Claims Victory
In a recent development, the Allahabad High Court has given permission to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex situated in Varanasi. This decision is being viewed as a victory for the Hindu side, as the court dismissed the concerns raised by the Muslim side about potential damage to the structure.
Representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi survey case, Vishnu Shankar Jain expressed, “Allahabad HC has said that ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex to start. Sessions court order upheld by HC.” This decision comes after a Varanasi court had previously granted approval to the ASI for a survey of the mosque, excluding the Wazukhana area that contains a structure claimed by Hindus to be a Shivling.
The origins of the Gyanvapi case trace back to a group of women who approached the Varanasi court with claims that a temple had existed on the site in the past. The court ordered a video survey of the complex, during which a controversy emerged concerning a structure that the Hindu side contended was a shilling, while the mosque management committee asserted it was part of a fountain in the Wazukhana.
The central aim of the survey is to ascertain whether the masjid was constructed after the demolition of the Kashi Vishwanath temple. However, the matter became more complex when the Supreme Court intervened, placing a hold on a detailed scientific survey by the ASI until 5 pm on July 26. This delay was in response to a plea against a district court’s directive for the ASI to conduct the contentious survey.
In a subsequent correction, the Supreme Court unintentionally disposed of an appeal by the committee that challenged the legitimacy of a suit by Hindus in the trial court, seeking worship rights within the mosque. Despite this, the top court granted interim relief by suspending the ASI survey while also concluding the main case on July 24.
The decision to allow the ASI survey holds great significance in the ongoing debate surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque complex. This survey is expected to shed light on the historical and architectural aspects of the site, potentially clarifying whether a temple existed before the mosque was built. While the court’s decision is seen as a win for the Hindu side, it has also generated discussions and debates across various sections of society.
As the survey gets underway, both sides continue to hold their respective positions, awaiting the results that could influence the understanding of the site’s history and its implications for the future. The Gyanvapi mosque complex remains a symbol of the complex interplay between history, religion, and the law in India.