The Varanasi District Court today allowed scientific survey of the entire premises of Gyanvapi mosque, except the barricaded ‘wazukhana’ where a structure exists – which is claimed to be a ‘shivling’ by Hindu litigants, by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The petition has been filed by four women worshippers who wish to know if the mosque is built over an existing structure of a Hindu temple. The court has asked ASI to submit its report by August 4.
The order is likely to be challenged in higher courts. Last year, the Supreme Court directed sealing of wazukhana area.
Vishu Shankar Jain, who has been representing the petitioners in the court stated, “I have been informed that my application has been approved and the court has directed to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding the Wazu tank which has been sealed,” as quoted by news agency ANI.
The mosque is located next to Kashi Vishwanath temple and is claimed to have signs of ancient Hindu temple by the four women worshippers who filed the application in May this year.
The application stated that the Swayambhu Jyotirlinga existed at the site for lakhs of years, but it was destroyed/damanged several times by Muslim invaders who had hatred against the idol worshippers. It also mentioned the names of Mahmud Ghazni and Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. While the former attacked the temple in 1017 AD, the latter issued a Farmaan (decree) in 1669 to demolish the Temple of Lord Adivisheshwar.
The Mosque committee has opposed the plea, saying that the ASI survey could damage the complex.