News Brief
Supreme Court Grants Permission For Cleaning Gyanvapi Complex's Water Tank Where 'Shivling' Was Found
Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Complex. (Representative Image). Source: India Today
The Supreme Court has granted permission for the cleaning of the water tank in the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, following a plea by Hindu women plaintiffs.
Subsequently, the water tank, located in a sealed area, will undergo cleaning under the supervision of the Varanasi district magistrate.
The court's decision came after Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, requested permission for the cleaning process, citing the presence of dead fish in the tank.
It's important to note that the order by the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also acknowledged a similar plea filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, the mosque's management body, before a Varanasi district court.
In July 2023, the Varanasi district court had directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a comprehensive scientific survey, including excavations if necessary, to determine if the mosque, situated next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, was built on a temple site.
However, the Supreme Court's order had clarified that the mosque's 'wazukhana' (a reservoir for ritual ablutions), which houses a structure claimed to be a 'Shivling' by Hindu litigants, would not be part of the survey.
The contentious site has been a subject of legal disputes, with Hindu activists asserting that a temple existed at the location and was allegedly demolished in the seventeenth century under the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
