The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey is currently proceeding, despite increased safety precautions at the Gyanvapi mosque compound in Varanasi. According to a Hindu side petitioner, the ‘Tahkhana’ is expected to open today officially.
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The Survey Thus Far
On day five of the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque, a lawyer for the Hindu side stated on Tuesday that the survey of the dome’s location had not been completed.
“It appears that the dome’s survey is yet incomplete.” Additionally, “Tahkhana” is being surveyed. Photography and filming are impossible without clearing the debris, according to attorney Sudhir Tripathi, as reported by the news agency ANI.
The Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi is under strict protection as a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has arrived to perform the scientific survey.(PTI)
Hindu side petitioner Rekha Pathak stated, “The ‘Tahkhana’ may be opened today. The survey has us quite enthusiastic. Getting up in the morning and reporting for duty has become regular for us. We feel that way. We are here to supervise. After discussions, the survey will begin at 8 am and last until 5 pm.
On Sunday, the third day of the survey, the secondary phase had already started. An advocate of the Hindu side, Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, declared that the primary stage was over on Sunday. The ASI made use of a few specific machines on the third day.
As stated by lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, one of the attorneys acting for the Hindu side, the team thoroughly inspected the western wall, “tahkhana,” and other buildings on Saturday during the second day of the survey.
Anupam Dwivedi, an attorney for a Hindu plaintiff said, “On the second survey day, August 5, the ASI team thoroughly studied the pillars and frame (of the door).
As reported by PTI, he continued by saying that they have discovered idol fragments among the wreckage and expressed hope for the discovery of more idols throughout the survey.
Hindu participants in the study claimed that a 4-foot idol had been discovered. On the idol, there are some artefacts. A 2-foot Trishul and 5 urns were reportedly said to have been discovered, in addition to the idol. The Hindu side also asserted that they had discovered lotus marks on the basement walls.
The Allahabad HC dismisses PIL
The Allahabad High Court dismissed as withdrawn on Tuesday a PIL asking the Varanasi court’s ASI survey order to be ignored and ordering the Uttar Pradesh government to seal off the whole Gyanvapi grounds. When petitioner counsel asked to approach the proper forum in accordance with the law and submit an application for the reliefs sought in the PIL, the court rejected the petition as withdrawn.
The Reason for the ASI Survey in Gyanvapi Mosque
The Allahabad High Court authorised the Archaeological Assessment of India (ASI) to perform a scientific evaluation at the Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi on August 3 in order to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over the ruins of a Hindu temple.
The Varanasi District Court granted the ASI an additional four weeks to conduct the survey and produce a report by September 2. A request for extension was made by the ASI on Friday, which was the deadline for the survey procedure. The decision was made by district judge Ajaya Krishna Vishvesha.
Point to be Noted
On August 3rd , the high court rejected the Muslim side’s appeal, made by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which had challenged the Varanasi court order permitting the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque grounds, with the exception of the “Wazukhana” area where a “Shivling” was allegedly discovered last year.
