Archaeological Survey Archives - Lokmarg

Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath Temple: ASI Survey Report To Be Made Public

By LokMarg 24th January 2024

The Varanasi district Court on Wednesday asked that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report be made public today and the hard copy be provided to both sides.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said, “Today, the court heard both sides and a consensus was reached that the hard copy of the ASI’s report will be provided to both sides…The ASI objected to providing the report via email. So, both sides agreed to get the hard copy of the report.”

“The court listened to both sides today. After hearing both sides, an agreement was reached that a certified copy of ASI’s report be made available to both sides. As soon as the court passes the order, our legal team will apply for the certified copy…”

Earlier on January 16, the Supreme Court allowed an application of Hindu women petitioners seeking direction for cleaning the entire area of ‘wazukhana’ of Gyanvapi mosque where the alleged ‘Shivling’ was found and maintaining hygienic condition.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said the area of ‘wazukhana’ shall be cleaned under the supervision of district administration Varanasi, having regard to the previous orders of the apex court.

Gyanvapi mosque management committee said it supports cleaning of the water tank, which has remained sealed on apex court’s orders for nearly two years.

The area of ‘wazukhana’ was sealed in 2022 on a Supreme Court order after the discovery of what was said to be a ‘Shivling’.

A structure — claimed to be a “Shivling” by the Hindu side and a “fountain” by the Muslim side — was found in the mosque premises on May 16, 2022, during a court-mandated survey of the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The ‘Wazu’ area of the Gyanvapi mosque is the centre of the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute between Hindus and Muslim parties in the case since the Hindu parties claim that ‘Shivling’ has been found in that spot, however, the Muslim side disputed the same and said that it is only a water fountain. (ANI)

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Gyanvapi Verdict: Varanasi Court To Present ASI Scientific Report Today

By LokMarg 21st December 2023

The Varanasi district Court will present the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) scientific report on the Gyanvapi mosque survey today.

In the Gyanvapi Shringar Gauri case, today the Hindu side will present its objection in the court on the application of Anjuman Arrangements Masjid Committee’s plea asking the judge to present the ASI report in a sealed cover which according to the Hindu side is a clear ‘violation’ of the Supreme Court judgement.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee on Monday asked the Court not to give the ASI report to any party to which the Hindu side is objecting.

Hindu side lawyer Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi said that the Supreme Court in its order dated 4 August stated that the report will not be filed in a sealed envelope.

“An application of the Muslim side is also before the Court that the report be filed in a sealed envelope and this be not disclosed in public domain until the report is disposed, we objected to it on 18th December and mentioned that the Supreme Court in its order stated that the report be not filed in a sealed envelope. So, the Court had given today’s date and the hearing will be taken up today. It will be heard if the report will be submitted in an open or sealed envelope,” Hindu side lawyer Advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi said.

Earlier, Hindu side lawyer Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain claimed that the survey report being presented in a selaed envelope is a “violation of the Supreme Court order” and said that the Hindu side has filed an application in the district court and sought a copy of the report.

“We have moved an application before the district court that we must be supplied a copy of the report, and there cannot be a gag order on the media that you cannot talk about this report. If the district court does not pass an order, which is in consonance with the law, we’ll file an appeal before the Supreme Court,” he said.

Notably, the ASI team conducted the survey in the Gyanvapi complex for 92 days and submitted the sealed survey report to the court. Earlier, in August this year, the Allahabad High Court allowed the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi. (ANI)

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ASI Survey Of Gyanvapi: Hindu Side Says, Survey Of Dome Not Completed Yet

By LokMarg 8th August 2023

As the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) continues its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex on the fifth day, an advocate representing the Hindu side, on Tuesday said that the survey will start at 8 am today, adding that the survey of the dome has not been completed.

While speaking to ANI, Advocate Sudhir Tripathi said, “The survey will start at 8 am today. It seems the survey of the dome has not been completed. ‘Tahkhana’ is also being surveyed. Without removing the rubble, photography and videography are not possible.”

Heavy security was deployed at the Gyanvapi mosque complex as the survey is still in its ongoing phase by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

On the ongoing survey by ASI at Gyanvapi complex, Hindu side Petitioner Rekha Pathak said, “The ‘Tahkhana’ might be opened today.We are very excited about the survey. It has become our routine to get up in the morning and head for duty.That’s how we feel.Our work is to supervise.We have had talks and the survey starts at 8 am and will go on till 5 pm.”

The scientific survey of the complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, excluding Wuzu Khana, began last Friday, following the Allahabad High Court’s order, which allowed the ASI to conduct the survey, to determine if the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

Allahabad High Court on Thursday dismissed the plea filed by the Muslim side, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, challenging the Varanasi court order allowing the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, except the ‘Wazukhana’ area where a “Shivling” was claimed to have been found last year. (ANI)

Satisfied, Will Not Obstruct, Says Muslim Side On ASI Survey Of Gyanvapi Mosque

By LokMarg 5th August 2023

As a team of the Archaeological Survey of India on Saturday marked the second day of its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex, the Muslim side said they are “satisfied” and will not obstruct the process.

Supreme Court on Friday declined to stay a scientific survey by ASI of the Gyanvapi mosque premises in Varanasi.

Mumtaz Ahmed, Advocate representing the Muslim side told reporters here today, “We are satisfied with the ASI Survey and we are not going to obstruct…ASI Survey. Till yesterday, we were not participating but today we are participating and assisting the ASI team…”

An ASI team arrived at the mosque complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, here this morning to continue the court-ordered scientific survey of the complex, excluding the Wuzu Khana. The survey began at around 09.00 am amid tight security.

The scientific survey of the complex began on Friday amid tight security, following Allahabad High Court’s order, which allowed the ASI to conduct the survey, to determine if the mosque was built on a pre-existing temple.

Allahabad High Court on Thursday dismissed the plea filed by the Muslim party, Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, challenging the Varanasi court order allowing the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, except the ‘Wazukhana’ area where a “Shivling” was claimed to have been found last year.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had challenged the Varanasi District Judge’s July 21 order.

On July 21, Varanasi district judge AK Vishvesha ordered the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex on an application moved by four Hindu women on May 16, 2023.

The order of the district judge, however, excluded the Wuzu Khana (ablution pond area) of the complex, which has been sealed on the order of the Supreme Court.

Earlier on Friday, the top court declined to stay the scientific survey by ASI.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that ASI has clarified that the entire survey would be completed without any excavation and without causing any damage to the structure. The entire process of scientific survey shall be concluded with non-invasive methodology, the bench ordered.

“We reiterate the direction of the High Court that there shall be no excavation,” said the Supreme Court.

The bench noted that Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court took note of the affidavit of ASI that it is not carrying out any excavation during its survey and no part of wall etc. will be touched.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has challenged the Allahabad High Court order allowing ASI to conduct scientific survey by ASI of the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

During the hearing, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmad appearing for mosque committee objected to the survey saying if someone now comes and files a frivolous plea saying that there is a monument below this structure, will the court order ASI survey?

To this CJI DY Chandrachud replied, “What is frivolous to you is faith to other side.”

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for Uttar Pradesh said ASI affidavit before the High Court says no drilling, cutting of stone will be done from the existing structure, no wall or structure will be damaged and it will be done by the non-destructive method.

Huzefa said when you conduct survey, it is like uncovering wounds of the past and that is what Places of Worship Act sought to injunct. “You are unravelling wounds of past here,” he said.

Justice Pardiwala told Huzefa that despite assuring that there will be no harm to the structure, you are opposed to the survey.

“This survey will be in form of a report. Tomorrow, if you succeed on maintainability, it will just be a piece of paper. Let the survey be undertaken by the ASI,” Justice Pardiwala said. (ANI)

ASI Begins Day-2 Survey At Gyanvapi Mosque Complex

By LokMarg 5th August 2023

A team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrived at the Gyanvapi mosque complex here on Saturday morning to continue the court-ordered scientific survey of the complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, excluding Wuzu Khana.

The survey began at around 09.00 am today amid tight security.

Sudhir Tripathi, a lawyer from the Hindu side, said that the scientific survey will clear everything.

“It is the second day of the survey. We want people to cooperate in the survey and get it completed as soon as possible. We are showing full cooperation and involvement. They have come at the direction of the Supreme Court. We welcome it. We want the matter to be resolved soon. The survey will clarify everything,” the lawyer said.