In a highly contentious legal battle, a team of 55 members from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has resumed the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi to determine whether the 17th-century masjid was built on the remains of a pre-existing Hindu temple. The survey comes after the Allahabad High Court’s order allowing the ASI to conduct a thorough examination of the site. A significant development in the case has been the deployment of a heavy police force in the area to ensure security during the survey. The process, which began on Friday, entered its fourth day on Sunday morning, as the ASI team delved into the south basement of Gyanvapi.
The primary stage of the court-ordered survey has already been completed, and the secondary stage, employing advanced tools such as ground-penetrating radar machines, is currently underway. Representatives from both sides, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain and advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, are present during the survey. Advocate Jain expressed satisfaction with the ASI’s scientific approach and assured cooperation from the Muslim side. The survey has garnered interest from all parties involved as it aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical significance of the mosque complex, which is situated adjacent to the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Plaintiff number 1 Rakhi Singh’s advocate, Anupam Dwivedi, highlighted the difference between the current ASI survey and the previous one conducted by an advocate commissioner in 2022. He noted that the ASI team is meticulously collecting evidence without any physical alterations to the site, ensuring a non-invasive approach. Despite challenges from the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, the ASI survey has been permitted, with the exclusion of the ‘Wazukhana’ area, where a “Shivling” was claimed to have been found last year. The Supreme Court declined to stay the survey, and the ASI has received a warm welcome from the Hindu side, eager to resolve the matter expeditiously.
Throughout the survey, the ASI has strived to ensure transparency and impartiality, working to dispel controversies and address concerns from all parties involved. By employing advanced technology and adhering to a scientific methodology, the ASI aims to uncover valuable evidence regarding the historical and religious significance of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. While the survey is currently paused for two hours to accommodate Muslim devotees’ prayers, it is set to resume under the domes of the mosque premises. As the survey progresses, it is hoped that it will provide clarity and resolve the longstanding dispute over the mosque’s origins, paving the way for a peaceful resolution and preserving India’s rich cultural heritage.