Asia Press Agency

Tag: Varanasi court

  • Varanasi Court Grants Hindu Side Permission to Offer Prayers

    Varanasi Court Grants Hindu Side Permission to Offer Prayers

    The Varanasi district court has granted permission to the Hindu side to offer prayers at the southern cellar, also known as ‘Vyas Ka Tehkhana,’ inside the Gyanvapi mosque. The court’s decision comes after a plea by four Hindu women to the Supreme Court requesting the excavation and scientific survey of a sealed portion of the Gyanvapi mosque. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report, which concluded that a significant Hindu temple structure predated the mosque’s construction, played a crucial role in the court’s decision.

     

    Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, stated, “…Puja will start within seven days. Everyone will have the right to perform Puja.” The court ordered the district magistrate to make arrangements for prayers within seven days and involve a priest nominated by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust. However, the Muslim side, represented by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, has expressed its intention to challenge the order in a higher court.

     

    The Varanasi court’s decision has triggered mixed reactions, with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) rejecting the ASI findings. The AIMPLB emphasized that the ASI’s report is not “conclusive evidence” and accused Hindu communal organizations of misleading the public.

     

    The ASI report, based on a comprehensive study of existing structures, artifacts, and inscriptions at the Gyanvapi site, concluded that there existed a large Hindu temple before the construction of the existing mosque in the 17th century. The report highlighted features such as the western wall of the mosque being part of an earlier Hindu temple, reused pillars and pilasters from the pre-existing temple in the present structure, and Sanskrit and Dravidian inscriptions dating from the 12th to 17th century.

     

    The court’s decision to allow Hindu prayers at a specific area within the Gyanvapi mosque complex adds another chapter to the historical and religious complexities surrounding the site. The Gyanvapi mosque, located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, has been a subject of historical disputes, with claims and counterclaims by different religious communities over the centuries.

     

    While the Varanasi court’s decision addresses a specific aspect related to prayers in the mosque complex, the broader issues of religious harmony, coexistence, and legal disputes over historical sites persist. The court’s order reflects the delicate balance that judicial authorities aim to maintain in addressing the concerns and sentiments of different religious communities while upholding the principles of law and justice.

     

    As the legal proceedings continue, the Gyanvapi mosque case remains a symbol of the intricate interplay between history, archaeology, religious beliefs, and legal interpretations. The site holds immense cultural and religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims, and any legal resolution must navigate through these complexities to ensure a fair and just outcome. The challenges posed by such cases highlight the need for a nuanced approach that respects diversity, historical facts, and the principles of justice in addressing disputes related to religious sites.

  • Gyanvapi Mosque Controversy: ASI Survey Report Reveals Insights

    Gyanvapi Mosque Controversy: ASI Survey Report Reveals Insights

    In a significant development in the Gyanvapi mosque complex dispute in Varanasi, the district court has decided to provide both litigants with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report. This move comes as the latest chapter in a long-standing legal battle between Hindu and Muslim communities over the ownership and history of the religious site.

     

    Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, expressed confidence in the conclusive findings of the ASI survey. According to Jain, the survey affirms the presence of a substantial Hindu temple that predates the construction of the existing structure at the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

     

    The ASI report, as disclosed by ANI, unveils intriguing insights into the historical structures within the complex. It suggests that a pre-existing structure appeared to have been dismantled in the 17th century, with a part of it modified and reused. The scientific studies referenced in the report indicate the existence of a large Hindu temple before the construction of the current mosque.

     

    Moreover, the report notes an Arabic-Persian inscription inside a room, dating the mosque’s construction to the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb (1676-77 CE). This revelation leads to the conclusion that the pre-existing structure was likely destroyed during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the current mosque.

     

    The Varanasi court, under the jurisdiction of District Judge A K Vishvesh, has ruled that the ASI survey report will be made accessible to both the Hindu and Muslim parties involved in the dispute. This decision is a crucial step in ensuring transparency and providing all concerned parties with the opportunity to examine the archaeological findings.

     

    The ASI report also emphasizes that the western wall of the current structure represents the remaining section of a ‘pre-existing Hindu temple.’ Elements of the pre-existing temple, such as pillars and pilasters, were repurposed with minor alterations during the expansion of the mosque and the creation of the ‘sahan.’

     

    In the eastern section of the mosque, cellars were constructed to expand the available space, and a sizable platform was created to accommodate large congregations for prayers. The report details how pillars from previous temples were repurposed during the construction of cellars in the eastern part of the platform.

     

    One notable discovery mentioned in the report is a pillar adorned with bells, niches for placing lamps on all sides, and featuring an inscription from Samvat 1669. This pillar was reused in cellar N2. Additionally, the report highlights the discovery of sculptures depicting Hindu deities and carved architectural elements buried beneath the deposited soil in cellar S2.

     

    A total of 34 inscriptions were recorded during the survey, featuring scripts such as Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu, and Kannada. These inscriptions are on the stones of the pre-existing Hindu temples, which were re-used during the construction or repair of the existing mosque.

     

    This development comes after the Supreme Court approved a request from Hindu women petitioners to cleanse the entire ‘wazukhana’ area within the Gyanvapi mosque. This area, where an alleged ‘Shivling’ was discovered, became a focal point in the legal proceedings.

     

    The Gyanvapi mosque complex dispute has a long history, with both Hindu and Muslim communities asserting their claims over the religious site. The ASI survey report, with its archaeological findings, adds a new dimension to the ongoing legal and religious discussions surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. As the court proceedings continue, the revelations from the ASI report will likely influence the narratives presented by both sides in this complex and sensitive dispute.

  • Gyanvapi Mosque to Undergo Scientific Survey by ASI

    Gyanvapi Mosque to Undergo Scientific Survey by ASI

    The recent order by the Varanasi court for a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque has sparked both celebration and controversy. Situated right next to the revered Kashi Vishwanath temple, the mosque has been a subject of contention between the Hindu and Muslim communities, with the former claiming that the mosque was built on the site of an ancient Hindu temple.

     

    The court’s decision came in response to a petition filed by a group of Hindu devotees seeking a thorough investigation to establish the historical truth about the origins of the Gyanvapi mosque. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been entrusted with the task of conducting the survey, which is anticipated to shed light on the longstanding dispute.

     

    However, it is important to note that the ‘wazukhana,’ an area within the mosque premises where Hindu devotees claim the presence of a ‘shivling,’ will not be included in the survey. This exclusion is due to the fact that the matter concerning the ‘wazukhana’ is currently being handled by the Supreme Court.

     

    Vishnu Shankar Jain, the legal representative of the Hindu side, expressed optimism about the survey’s potential to resolve the dispute once and for all. He stated that the survey is estimated to be completed within a span of three to six months, bringing hope for a definitive conclusion to the protracted issue.

     

    The petition that led to the court order was initially filed by five women seeking permission to offer prayers at the “Shringar Gauri Sthal” located within the mosque complex. During the process, a unique structure was discovered on the mosque premises, with some believers considering it to be a “Shivling” on one side and a “fountain” on the other. This discovery further fueled the demand for an in-depth investigation.

     

    On the contrary, the Muslim side has expressed concerns about potential damage to the Gyanvapi complex due to the ASI survey. They contend that the survey could adversely impact the structure’s integrity and historical significance.

     

    The Varanasi court heard arguments from both sides on July 14 and reserved its order after the proceedings. As the legal battle continues, the ASI’s survey holds the promise of unravelling the mysteries surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque and could pave the way for a resolution that respects the sentiments of all parties involved.