The Allahabad High Court is likely to pronounce its verdict today on the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi campus in Varanasi. Earlier, during the hearing held on July 27, after hearing the arguments of all the parties, the court had reserved the verdict and upheld the ban on the ASI survey till further orders. Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Preetikar Diwakar heard the petition of Anjuman Injamia Mosque Committee.
Survey won’t damage infrastructure: ASI
The matter was debated in the High Court for two days. All sides had their point of view. While one side was insisting on the ASI survey, the other side was opposing the ASI survey. ASI officials were also present in the court during this time. ASI officials said that the survey would not cause any damage to the structure.
Varanasi district court had approved the ASI survey
Significantly, the Varanasi district court had approved the ASI survey. An archaeological inquiry was ordered into the entire Gyanvapi complex, except for the disputed portion in the Maa Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi mosque case located near the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The court had ordered the ASI to submit its report by August 4. But in this case, the Anjuman Injamia Mosque Committee appealed in the High Court and sought a ban on the ASI survey. The verdict in this case is coming today.
What is the Gyanvapi controversy??
The latest controversy in Gyanvapi arose after the demand for the right to worship Gauri and other gods and goddesses daily in the mosque premises. These sculptures are located on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque. The controversy began on August 18, 2021, when five women approached the court seeking daily worship and darshan at the Shringar Gauri temple. In fact, earlier this complex used to worship only , twice a year according to tradition, but then these women demanded, that the worship of other gods and goddesses should not be interrupted.
