Advocate vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the case, stated at a press conference on thursday (January 25) that a large Hindu temple structure existed at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, while reading from the Archaeological survey of India's (ASI) survey of the site. vishnu Jain stated that ASI findings indicate "modifications were made to the mosque, reusing pillars and plaster with minor altercations."

He stated that the ASI discovered multiple inscriptions on both the present and pre-existing building. "A total of 34 inscriptions were recorded during the present survey, and 32 stamped pages were taken," vishnu Jain stated, quoting from the ASI report. On wednesday (January 24), the varanasi district court decided to make the ASI report public to both the Hindu and Muslim sides.

The scientific survey was conducted on a 2,150.5 square metre section of the Gyanvapi mosque, which was surrounded with a steel grill in and around the existing building. This does not include the 'wazukhana tank' inside the mosque compound, which was sealed in May 2022 per supreme court directives.

Notably, 'wazukhana' refers to the reservoir where devotees do ablutions before performing namaz. It has been blocked since May 16, 2022, following the discovery of a building described by the Hindus as a'shivling' and the Muslims as a 'fountain'. It was discovered during a court-ordered study of the Gyanvapi mosque, which is located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The supreme court recently ordered the opening of the 'wazukhana tank' in response to petitions from both Muslim and Hindu parties for cleaning after stagnant water and dead fish contaminated the site. The varanasi district magistrate supervised the cleaning process, which was concluded on january 20.

Except for the 'wazukhana', the ASI's scientific examination of the Gyanvapi mosque focused on inscriptions, sculptures, coins, architectural remnants, ceramics, terracotta artefacts, stone, metal, and glass. Some of these items required remediation prior to the survey, which was completed on-site.

After examination, all of the artefacts were handed over to the varanasi district government to assure their safety. The comprehensive examination of the Gyanvapi mosque complex verified that no harm was done to the existing building.

WHEN AND WHY THE survey WAS CONDUCTED
In July 2023, the varanasi district court ordered a "detailed scientific survey" after Hindu petitioners alleged that the 17th-century Gyanvapi mosque was built on top of an ancient temple. The ASI conducted the assessment last year to ascertain if the mosque was built over an existing Hindu temple.


 
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G GOWTHAM

26/01/2024 11:04 AM