Gyanvapi Mosque Survey Approved by Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad HC on Thursday (August 3) dismissed the Gyanvapi mosque committee’s challenge to the order of the Varanasi district court. In asking for a “scientific investigation/ excavation” of the premises, saying “scientific survey is necessary for the interest of justice”.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) can now go ahead with the survey that it had started on July 24, but had to abort after the Supreme Court stepped in.

According to historical records

The Gyanvapi Mosque, situated adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, has a historically significant and complex background. According to historical records, it was constructed during the 17th century under the orders of the Mughal emperor. That time the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple was demolished.

The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s reign was marked by his policy of religious intolerance. He targeted several Hindu temples for destruction. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, being a revered Hindu religious site, was unfortunately one of the victims of this policy.

After the destruction of the original temple, the Gyanvapi Mosque was erected on the same site. The mosque has been a site of religious significance for the Muslim community ever since its construction.

Subsequently, in the late 18th century, during the rule of Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar of the Maratha dynasty, the present-day Kashi Vishwanath Temple was rebuilt next to the Gyanvapi Mosque. The new temple served to restore the spiritual importance of the place for the Hindu community.

The coexistence of the Gyanvapi Mosque and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a source of religious harmony throughout history.

The decades-old litigation around the mosque has gained momentum over the last year. When five Hindu women sought the right to worship Maa Shrinagar Gauri on the outer wall of the mosque complex.

The matter has since moved from a magistrate’s court to a district court, to the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court, and then back to the district court and the High Court.

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