Allahabad High Court Allows Scientific Survey Of Shivling In Gyanvapi

The Allahabad High Court issued an order today (12 May) for a scientific survey of the Shivling-like structure located within the Gyanvapi Mosque complex by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The petitioners, who are seeking the right to worship in the complex are represented by Vishnu Shankar Jain, who stated that the scientific survey would determine the age of the structure and whether it is actually a Shivling or something else.

The petition was filed on behalf of Hindu women, challenging the order of the district judge of Varanasi.

The ASI had submitted its report on the matter in a sealed cover yesterday.

The Hindu side has claimed that the structure in question is a Shivling, while the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi Mosque, has said it is a fountain.

Earlier, the Allahabad HC had requested that the ASI clarify whether the carbon dating of the purported Shivling found inside the Gyanvapi mosque could damage it or whether it can be safely evaluated.

The Hindu parties had requested carbon dating of the Shivling that was discovered during a court-ordered videography survey of the mosque.