gyanvapi-case-allahabad-hc-to-hear-plea-on-wazukhana-survey

The Allahabad High Court is set to hear a plea on Monday regarding the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of the sealed Wazukhana area within the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi.

 

The petition, moved by Rakhi Singh on 22 October last year, seeks permission for a comprehensive ASI survey of the Wazukhana. The area was sealed following an order by the Supreme Court in 2022, after a contentious structure was discovered during a court-directed survey.

 

During the survey conducted on 16 May 2022, a structure was found on the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque, adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. While the Hindu petitioners identified it as a ‘shivling’, the Muslim respondents asserted that it was merely a water fountain.

 

Earlier this year, the Hindu side approached the apex court seeking to de-seal the Wazukhana area to allow further examination of the structure. The matter has since remained under legal scrutiny.

 

The Wazukhana, traditionally a space for ritual ablution before prayers, became a focal point of legal contention after the Hindu litigants’ discovery claim during the videographic survey. The Supreme Court, taking note of the sensitivities surrounding the matter, had directed that the site be sealed to preserve the structure.

 

Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) last year expressed deep concern over the growing number of claims being made on mosques and dargahs across the country.

 

In a statement issued on 28 November, SQR Ilyas, National Spokesperson for the Board, stated, "It is deeply unfortunate and shameful that, after the claims on Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Shahi Eidgah in Mathura, Bhojshala Mosque in Madhya Pradesh, Teele Wali Masjid in Lucknow, and Sambhal's Jama Masjid, a claim has now been made on the historic Ajmer Dargah. Despite the provisions of the law, the court has accepted Vishnu Gupta's petition for a hearing and issued notices to the parties."

 

AIMPLB highlighted that a civil court in Ajmer had “unfortunately” admitted a petition claiming the Ajmer Dargah to be the ancient Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple.

 

With the matter due for hearing today, legal experts anticipate that the High Court’s observations may influence future decisions relating to the ASI’s role in such sensitive religious disputes.