The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is now conducting a survey at Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Mosque, but the institution emphasised today that “not a brick has been removed nor is it planned” and that the survey will not in any way affect the edifice.
The court was also informed by the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, that the petitioners do not currently need to be concerned about any excavation activity because only measuring, photography, and radar studies are being conducted.
“It seems that ASI is not planning to conduct any excavations in accordance with the ruling. The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, accepted the center’s comments and stated, “We record the statement to the extent that no excavation at the site is contemplated at this stage for a period of one week until next week Monday.”
The Solicitor General earlier stated, “Not a brick has been removed nor is it planned to be removed. This is in reference to the work done by the ASI since a survey of the premises began this morning. Currently, measurements, photography, and radar are being conducted; these activities won’t impact the structure.
In Varanasi, the mosque close to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple made news last year after a group of Hindu ladies asked an Uttar Pradesh court for permission to worship gods there.
A segment of persons alleged that an object found during the video survey of the complex that the court had ordered was a shivling. The management committee of the mosque, however, said that it was a portion of a fountain in the wazookhana (pool) where people wash their hands and feet prior to prayers.
