In a significant development on Monday, the Supreme Court of India issued a stay order until 5 pm on July 26, suspending the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi. The survey was intended to ascertain whether the mosque was built over the remains of a pre-existing Hindu temple, but it has been met with opposition from the mosque management committee.
The court session commenced at 11.15 am, with the Gyanvapi mosque management committee presenting their plea against the ASI survey. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud presided over the hearing and ordered a temporary status quo, prohibiting any excavation or invasive methods until the court reevaluates the matter. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the ASI, assured the court that no physical excavation work would take place for at least a week.
He clarified that the current activities were limited to non-invasive measures such as photography and measurements. The court recorded Mehta’s statement, giving the mosque management committee sufficient time to challenge the district court’s order before the Allahabad High Court. The contentious issue revolves around the historical significance of the Gyanvapi mosque complex and its potential ties to a pre-existing Hindu temple.
The district court had previously ordered the ASI survey, prompting the mosque management committee to seek intervention from the Supreme Court to stay the survey. The Supreme Court’s decision to halt the survey temporarily has sparked debates across the nation, with various stakeholders expressing diverse opinions. Some argue that the ASI’s investigation is necessary to establish the historical truth, while others stress the importance of respecting the religious sentiments associated with the mosque.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Chandrachud urged the mosque management committee to approach the Allahabad High Court to address their concerns about the district court’s order. The committee, however, requested an immediate stay on the order, which was not granted by the court. The Gyanvapi mosque has long been a subject of historical and religious contention, with both Hindus and Muslims asserting their claims over the site. The ASI’s survey was expected to shed light on the site’s past and potentially impact the ongoing dispute.
As the nation awaits further updates, the temporary stay order has given the mosque management committee time to strategize and seek legal recourse before the Allahabad High Court. Meanwhile, the ASI has been directed to hold off on any physical excavation work, limiting their current activities to non-invasive methods. The case continues to capture the attention of the country, and the Supreme Court’s final decision on the matter is eagerly anticipated. Until then, the status quo will remain in place, and the controversy surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque complex will continue to unfold.