Investigate Gyanvapi Shivling: Petition in Supreme Court

Satya Prakash

New Delhi, January 29

Days after an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report suggested existence of a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, the Hindu side on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to the ASI to make necessary investigation of the “Shivlingam” found at the site in 2022.

In an application filed before the top court, the Hindu side also urged it to vacate its May 19, 2023, order that put on hold the Allahabad High Court order allowing a scientific examination of the “Shivlingam” without causing any damage to it.

A Varanasi court had on July 21, 2023, allowed their plea for a scientific survey of the entire building, excluding the sealed area i.e. the place where the “Shivlingam” was found and the report was submitted to the court in December 2023.

“The area of Shivlingam has been surrounded by raising artificial walls which are modern construction connected with the original building,” the applicants said, adding “the area has no religious significance for Muslims as according to them there is an alleged fountain,” the Hindu side submitted. “Now it’s necessary that the sealed area be also surveyed by ASI, otherwise the very purpose of survey would be frustrated as there will be no report of ASI regarding the area under seal,” they submitted in their application filed through its counsel Vishnu Shankar Jain.

The SC had on January 16 allowed Hindu women plaintiffs’ plea for cleaning the water tank (‘wazukhana’, used to perform ritual ablutions) in the Gyanvapi mosque that is located in an area sealed on its orders under the supervision of the Varanasi district magistrate after being told that there were dead fish in it.