The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has resumed its survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi amid a challenge in the Supreme Court. The survey aims to determine whether the mosque was constructed over a Hindu temple. However, the mosque committee has filed a petition in the Supreme Court opposing the survey.
The Allahabad High Court recently granted permission for a scientific survey of the mosque, considering it necessary in the interest of justice. Previously, the Supreme Court had prohibited any survey within the mosque complex.
It is worth noting that the fresh survey will exclude the mosque’s wazukhana, which allegedly contains a structure resembling a shivling, as per the Supreme Court’s order.
The survey was initially ordered by a Varanasi court on July 21 following a petition by four women claiming that it was the only way to determine whether the mosque was built after demolishing a Hindu temple.
On July 24, the survey began, but it was immediately halted by the Supreme Court when the mosque committee approached the court, citing concerns that any digging might destabilize the ancient structure and cause it to collapse. Additionally, the committee argued that such a survey would violate existing laws governing religious sites.
It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will address the mosque committee’s challenge and whether the survey findings will shed light on the historical origins of the Gyanvapi Mosque.
