The Hindu women plaintiffs in the Gyanvapi case are set to approach the Supreme Court today to request the listing of a plea for opening 10 cellars of the Varanasi mosque. These cellars have been sealed with artificial walls, obstructing their survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). In October 2023, the plaintiffs filed the plea, contending that these cellars contain crucial evidence of a Hindu temple predating the current structure. The ASI survey report, handed to the Hindu side and mosque custodians on the court’s orders, revealed the presence of the temple’s remnants in the cellars.
According to the plaintiffs’ advocate, Vishnu Shankar Jain, they have filed a special leave petition requesting the court to instruct the ASI to conduct a scientific investigation using modern techniques in all the cellars on the southern and northern sides. Jain added that the ASI should also be directed to carry out repairs after opening the artificial walls within the cellars. The plea highlights that there are five cellars each on the north and south sides, with most of them obstructed by artificial walls.
Jain further claims that the sealed cellars hold evidence and artefacts of the Hindu temple. The ASI report’s cellar section provides details about the number of cellars with brick walls discovered. Jain believes that the report brings greater clarity to the plaintiffs’ claims regarding the obstruction of these cellars with artificial walls. Alongside the SC plea, a map has been submitted to support their argument.
Today, Jain will present another plea before the Supreme Court, seeking an ASI survey of the sealed wuzukhana at the Gyanvapi premises. This tank has been sealed since May 16, 2022, when the Hindu side claimed the discovery of a purported Shivling during a previous court-mandated survey.
The plaintiffs’ efforts to gain access to the sealed cellars and conduct a thorough investigation highlight the significance of the Gyanvapi case and the tensions surrounding it. The court’s decision on their plea could potentially determine the course of the legal proceedings and shape the future of the disputed site.
The Gyanvapi case revolves around the historic Varanasi mosque, known as the Gyanvapi Masjid, which stands adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Both the temple and mosque share a complex history of contention and religious disputes. The litigation seeks to establish the temple’s presence before the construction of the mosque and to ascertain the rights of the plaintiffs in relation to the site.
As this case unfolds, it continues to attract attention from individuals and communities invested in its outcome. The potential opening of the sealed cellars and the subsequent investigation hold the promise of shedding light on the disputed history and providing evidence to support the claims of the Hindu side.
The Supreme Court’s decision to consider the pleas of the plaintiffs and conduct a survey of the cellars and the wuzukhana will be closely watched, as it could have far-reaching implications. It remains to be seen how the court will navigate the complex historical and religious aspects of this case. For now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court as the plaintiffs and their advocates strive to ensure a fair and transparent investigation into the Gyanvapi site.
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