Lucknow: A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started a scientific survey of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque today even as the mosque management committee filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Varanasi district court’s order allowing the inspection.
The survey shall not alter the structure of the mosque confirmed the Supreme Court. “Not a brick has been removed nor is it planned”, stated the highest court. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta told the court that the petitioners need not worry about any excavation move at this point and ensured that ASI will only conduct measurement, photography, and radar studies.
The survey is being conducted in the presence of 40 members, including ASI officials, four Hindu women plaintiff and their counsels, and councils for the Gyanvapi mosque management committee. The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee is not participating in the survey. SM Yasin, the joint secretary of the committee said, “We boycotted the ASI survey. Neither we, nor our advocate are present there during the ASI survey”.
The inspection is being carried out following an order by the Varanasi district court on Friday based on a plea filed by four women who claim the Gyanvapi mosque was built after razing an ancient Hindu temple. While passing the order, the district court noted that scientific investigation is necessary to bring out true facts.
It is to be noted that the same applicants had filed 2021 petition in the Gyanvapi matter, asking for year-long access to Shringar Gauri shrine inside the mosque. “Our application for the ASI survey has been accepted. It is a turning point in the case”, said Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi who represents Hindu side of Gyanvapi case.