Allahabad HC Extends Stay On Survey At Gyanvapi Mosque As It Seeks More Clarifications From ASI

The Allahabad High Court is reportedly dissatisfied with the methodology of a scientific survey conducted at Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque, and as a result, the court has requested the Archaeological Survey of India to provide more details.

Consequently, the court has extended the freeze on the survey until tomorrow evening, as per the Supreme Court's directive.

On July 24, the Supreme Court had temporarily halted the "detailed scientific survey" by the ASI, which had been ordered by a Varanasi court.

This survey aimed to determine and establish that the mosque, located near the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, was built on top of a temple.

In context of the Ram Janmabhoomi issue, the mosque committee had approached the Supreme Court to request a freeze on the ASI's work. They alleged that the authorities were rushing the survey process.

The Allahabad HC has requested further details on how the survey can be conducted without causing damage to the existing mosque. During the hearing, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, responsible for managing the mosque, expressed concerns that the mosque structure might collapse if the ground beneath it is excavated.

According to the Hindu side, excavations may be necessary in the final stage. Their counsel stated that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will conduct radar mapping and, if necessary, excavation will be carried out as a last resort.

The court proposed that either the survey should be videographed or an assurance should be provided that no damage will be done to the mosque.

The Hindu side agreed to this suggestion.

When the mosque committee expressed their lack of trust in the assurances, the court responded sharply. The judges questioned how the muslim side could trust the court's ruling if they did not trust anyone.

In response to the Hindu side's claim that the ASI team is ready, Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker expressed dissatisfaction with their plans. He stated, "I am not satisfied with what you are going to do."

The Gyanvapi mosque, situated in Varanasi, the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is among the mosques that was constructed on the remains of temples. Alongside Ayodhya and Mathura, it is one of the three major temple-mosque disputes that had gained national attention in the 1980s and 90s, as a result of efforts from the BJP.

As per the records provided by the Hindu side, a temple was built on the site in 1585 under the orders of Raja Todar Mal, a minister of Emperor Akbar, but was destroyed in 1669.

Currently, a group of Hindu women have also requested permission to worship on the premises.