The Supreme Court on Monday halted the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque until July 26. The court has asked the Allahabad High Court to decide the matter afresh.
The survey was ordered by the Varanasi district court in May 2024. The court had directed the ASI to conduct a “scientific survey” of the entire Gyanvapi mosque premises, except the barricaded ‘Wazu Khana’ where a structure claimed by Hindu litigants to be a ‘Shivling’ exists.
The mosque’s management committee had challenged the survey order in the Supreme Court. The court has now stayed the survey until July 26, when it will hear the mosque committee’s plea.
The ASI survey was a sensitive issue, as it could have implications for the ownership of the Gyanvapi mosque. The survey was also opposed by some Muslim groups, who argued that it was an attempt to desecrate the mosque.
However, many Hindus believe that the ASI survey was necessary to determine the true religious status of the Gyanvapi mosque. They believe that the mosque was built on the ruins of a Hindu temple, and that the ASI survey would have provided evidence to support this claim.
The halt of the ASI survey has been met with disappointment by many Hindus. They believe that the court has bowed to pressure from the Muslim community, and that the decision is a setback for their efforts to reclaim the Gyanvapi mosque.
The Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute is a complex and sensitive issue. The Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ASI survey is a reminder of the challenges that India faces in trying to maintain religious harmony.
From a Hindu perspective, the halt of the ASI survey is a setback. However, Hindus remain hopeful that the court will ultimately rule in their favor and that they will be able to reclaim the Gyanvapi mosque.
The Impact of the ASI Survey Halt on Hindus
The halt of the ASI survey has had a number of impacts on Hindus. First, it has disappointed and frustrated many Hindus who believe that the survey was necessary to determine the true religious status of the Gyanvapi mosque. Second, it has raised concerns about the court’s impartiality in the case. Some Hindus believe that the court is bowing to pressure from the Muslim community, and that the decision is a setback for their efforts to reclaim the Gyanvapi mosque.
The halt of the ASI survey has also had a negative impact on the morale of the Hindu community. Many Hindus feel that the court is not taking their concerns seriously, and that they are being denied justice. This has led to a sense of anger and resentment among some Hindus, and it has increased the risk of communal violence.
The future of the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute is uncertain. The Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ASI survey is a temporary measure, and it is possible that the survey will be allowed to resume after July 26. However, the case is likely to continue to be a source of tension between Hindus and Muslims in India.
Hindus remain hopeful that the court will ultimately rule in their favor and that they will be able to reclaim the Gyanvapi mosque. However, the halt of the ASI survey has made this goal more difficult to achieve
