Survey of the Knowledgeable Mosque commences, with a team of 30 people conducting the investigation.
Will the Supreme Court put a halt to the survey today?
Image source: Aajtak
The survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid premises in Varanasi has commenced. On Monday, 24th July, at 7 AM, a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrived at the mosque compound. The survey process has been initiated with a team of 30 people. As per a report by Kumar Abhishek connected with Aaj Tak, four lawyers from both sides are present with the ASI team. Additionally, four female petitioners have also accompanied the survey team to the Gyanvapi Masjid.
On which parts is the survey being conducted?
As per sources cited by Aaj Tak, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has formed four separate teams, and all of them have commenced their respective activities. These teams are conducting surveys at different locations - one team near the western wall, another team examining the domes, a third team investigating the mosque's platform, and the fourth team surveying the overall premises.
On the other hand, the Muslim side, represented by the Intajamia Masjid Committee, has opposed this and approached the Supreme Court. The hearing on this matter is scheduled for today at 10 AM.
What did the court say regarding the survey?
On July 21st, the Varanasi District Court had ordered a survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid. The court ruled that the survey should cover the entire premises, excluding the disputed area. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for August 4th, and until then, ASI has been directed to submit the survey report to the court. District Judge Ajay Krishna Vishwesh, while granting permission for the Gyanvapi Masjid survey, also issued instructions that the survey by ASI should take place between 8 AM to 12 PM. The court made it clear that there should be no obstruction to offering prayers during the survey, and no harm should come to the Gyanvapi Masjid during the excavation process, for which ASI has been granted permission without causing any damage.
On whose petition is the survey being conducted?
Before this, on May 31st, the Allahabad High Court had heard a petition demanding the regular worship of Shringar Gauri at the Gyanvapi Masjid premises in Varanasi. The court had deemed the petition from the Hindu side as worthy of consideration, dismissing the objections raised by the Muslim side. The court had upheld the decision of the Varanasi District Court.
Prior to that, the district court had declared the petition requesting worship as admissible. The Intajamia Masjid Committee had challenged this decision in the Allahabad High Court, which was subsequently rejected by the court. Following this, four of the five female petitioners filed an application in the district court, requesting a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the entire premises, excluding the disputed area of the Gyanvapi Masjid. It was on this basis that District Judge Aqeel Vishvesh ordered the survey.
