Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India]: The scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is proceeding smoothly to find evidence related to the temple, said Advocates from the Hindu side in the matter.
The fourth day of the scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque, adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, by Archaelogical Survey of India concluded on Monday evening.
As the survey ended for Monday, Shubhash Nandan Chaturvedi, an Advocate of the Hindu side said that the court-ordered survey is proceeding smoothly.
“The ASI survey is proceeding smoothly… They are working technically with the help of machines and their units. ASI will call survey experts and teams from any part of the country if required. We just want evidence related to the temple to emerge in the survey,” the lawyer said.
Meanwhile, another Hindu side Advocate, Sudhir Tripathi told ANI that the ASI team are making a map, drafting a report and then they’ll submit the report.
The survey for Day 5 will start at Tuesday 8 am, he said.
The survey of the mosque complex, excluding Wuzu Khana, began on Friday, following the Allahabad High Court’s order, which allowed the ASI to conduct the survey, to determine if the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.
On day-2 of the survey the ASI team, carried out a detailed study of the western wall, cleaned “Tahkhana”, and the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) machine was used to understand the topography of the area.
Allahabad High Court on Thursday dismissed the plea filed by the Muslim side, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, challenging the Varanasi court order allowing the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, except the ‘Wazukhana’ area where a “Shivling” was claimed to have been found last year.
Earlier on Friday, Supreme Court declined to stay the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises in Varanasi.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that ASI has clarified that the entire survey would be completed without any excavation and without causing any damage to the structure.
The entire process of scientific survey shall be concluded with non-invasive methodology, the bench ordered.
“We reiterate the direction of the High Court that there shall be no excavation,” said the Supreme Court.
The bench noted that Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court took note of the affidavit of ASI that it is not carrying out any excavation during its survey and no part of wall etc. will be touched.
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has challenged the Allahabad High Court order allowing ASI to conduct scientific survey by ASI of the Gyanvapi mosque premises.
During the hearing, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmad appearing for mosque committee objected to the survey saying if someone now comes and files a frivolous plea saying that there is a monument below this structure, will the court order ASI survey?
To this CJI DY Chandrachud replied, “What is frivolous to you is faith to other side.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for Uttar Pradesh said ASI affidavit before the High Court says no drilling, cutting of stone will be done from the existing structure, no wall or structure will be damaged and it will be done by the non-destructive method.
Huzefa said when you conduct survey, it is like uncovering wounds of the past and that is what Places of Worship Act sought to injunct. “You are unravelling wounds of past here,” he said.
Justice Pardiwala told Huzefa that despite assuring that there will be no harm to the structure, you are opposed to the survey.
“This survey will be in form of a report. Tomorrow, if you succeed on maintainability, it will just be a piece of paper. Let the survey be undertaken by the ASI,” Justice Pardiwala said.
