The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has taken the Gyanvapi Mosque dispute to the Supreme Court following the Allahabad High Court’s approval for a survey of the mosque premises. The appeal was presented before Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, who has promised to examine the matter and set a date for the hearing. Initially, the mosque committee had contested the Varanasi district court’s July 21 ruling, which directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque area. However, their plea was dismissed by the High Court. The ASI had earlier submitted an affidavit, assuring that the survey would not cause any harm to the mosque premises, a statement that the High Court chief justice found credible, supporting the ASI’s stance.
High Court Chief Justice, Pritinker Diwaker, had reserved the verdict on the mosque committee’s petition on July 27, after listening to arguments from both parties. Until Thursday, the High Court had halted the ASI survey, but later lifted the stay, permitting the ASI to proceed with their scientific investigation as directed by the Varanasi district court. The district court’s order for the ASI survey, issued on July 21, covered the area surrounding the mosque, adjacent to the revered Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Nonetheless, the court excluded a specific section where Hindu activists claimed the discovery of a Shivling, whereas the Muslim side contended it was part of a fountain. The crux of the dispute lies in the Hindu activists’ assertion that a temple previously occupied the site, which was allegedly demolished during the 17th century by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s order. As the legal battle intensifies, the Supreme Court’s involvement brings hope for a resolution to the contentious issue. The Gyanvapi Mosque holds significant religious and historical importance, and the survey’s outcome will likely have far-reaching consequences for both communities involved.