The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has initiated a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This survey is being conducted despite the mosque management committee's petition in the Supreme Court. The committee is opposing the Varanasi district court's decision to permit the inspection, according to sources familiar with the situation.

On July 23rd, the ASI team arrived in Varanasi with all the necessary equipment to conduct the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. A video shared online shows a UP Police team entering the mosque complex as the ASI survey commenced. The group conducting the survey consists of approximately 40 members, including ASI officials, four Hindu women plaintiffs and their counsels, as well as representatives of the Gyanvapi mosque management committee.

However, it's important to note that the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee has decided not to participate in the survey. SM Yasin, the joint secretary of the committee, stated that they have boycotted the ASI survey and have chosen not to be present during the inspection. Their decision comes after the Varanasi court's order, which was in response to a petition filed by the Hindu side, seeking a "scientific survey" of the entire Gyanvapi mosque premises by the ASI.

In May, five women filed a petition seeking permission to pray at the "Shringar Gauri Sthal" within the Gyanvapi mosque complex. During a court-ordered survey of the mosque next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple on May 16 of the previous year, a structure was discovered, claimed by the Hindu side to be a "Shivling" and by the Muslim side to be a "fountain."

What did the Varanasi Court say?

In response to the ongoing dispute, the Varanasi district court has made a significant ruling. The court has ordered an extensive survey of the Gyanvapi masjid by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to determine whether the mosque was built on top of a pre-existing Hindu temple. The court deems this scientific investigation as crucial to uncover the "true facts" of the matter. However, the court also ruled to exclude the section that has remained sealed since a Supreme Court order in May 2022. This sealed area is where Hindus claim to have found a Shivling, while Muslims assert that it is part of a fountain.

The ASI survey is scheduled to commence on Monday, and all involved parties, including plaintiffs and defendants, have been notified about it, according to Varanasi district magistrate S Rajalingam. The court's decision to conduct the ASI survey came after an order from the Allahabad High Court on May 16, which allowed for the plea requesting the survey to be heard. Sohan Lal Arya, one of the petitioners in the Gyanvapi mosque case, expressed his satisfaction with the court's decision, considering it a significant moment for the Hindu community. He believes that the survey holds the key to resolving the Gyanvapi issue.

What did the Supreme Court say?

Previously, the Supreme Court of India had issued an order for the protection of the area surrounding the claimed 'shivling,' which was discovered during a video survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex ordered by another court. The mosque management contended that the structure is actually part of the water fountain mechanism at the 'wazukhana,' a reservoir where devotees perform ablutions before offering namaz.

During the legal proceedings, the lawyers representing the mosque raised an argument that the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi mosque case should not be considered maintainable as it allegedly violated the Place of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, according to the news agency PTI. This particular law prohibits altering the character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. However, it is worth noting that the Act made an exemption for the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid legal dispute.

The Varanasi court's order regarding the extensive survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been welcomed by some religious figures. Hanumangarhi mahant Raju Das from Ayodhya expressed his approval of the order, and Ram Janmabhoomi chief priest Satyendra Das mentioned that the seers are elated with the decision.