Varanasi, 4 Aug: On Friday, the Archaeological investigation of India (ASI) kicked off a scientific investigation of the Gyanvapi grounds to ascertain if the 17th-century mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple construction.
According to ASI sources, the survey began at roughly 7 a.m. Members of the ASI team, as well as representatives of Hindu petitioners in a legal issue regarding the mosque, were present inside the compound, which was secured with watertight barriers.
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee has opted out of the survey. The committee representatives who were supposed to accompany the ASI team to the survey did not show up.
The survey was launched after the Allahabad High Court upheld a Varanasi district court decision on Thursday, ruling that the proposed action is “necessary in the interest of justice” and will benefit both parties.
The order was issued when the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee, which represented the Muslim side of the legal dispute, petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the Varansi district court’s decision. The mosque is located near the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
