Swarajya Logo
Swarajya Logo
Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Our Views
    Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Magazine
  • Store

About Swarajya

Swarajya is a publication by Kovai Media Private Limited.

Swarajya - a big tent for liberal right of centre discourse that reaches out, engages and caters to the new India.

editor@swarajyamag.com

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Participate

  • Contact Us
  • Write for us
  • Style Guide
  • Jobs

Stay Connected

  • Artboard 2 Copy 6Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 10Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 7Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 9Created with Sketch.
  • Andriod Logo
  • IOS Logo

News Brief

SC Declines Stay On Allahabad HC's Order On Survey In Gyanvapi, Asks ASI To Follow 'Non-Invasive' Methods

Yathansh JoshiFriday, August 4, 2023 5:33 pm IST
Disputed Gyanvapi structure in Varanasi. (Pic Via Twitter)
Disputed Gyanvapi structure in Varanasi. (Pic Via Twitter)
Disputed Gyanvapi structure in Varanasi. (Pic Via Twitter)

The Supreme Court declined to stay the Allahabad High Court order allowing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey at the Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi.

During the hearing of a plea by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee against the Allahabad High Court order, the top court emphasised the Places of Worship Act, 1991.

This act prohibits altering the character of a place of worship as it existed on 15 August 1947. However, the court acknowledged that the key question was determining the religious character of the place on that specific date.

In response to the counsel representing the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee, who inquired about ordering a survey based on a frivolous claim, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud stated that what may seem frivolous to one party could be a matter of faith for the other side.

He added that it would be inappropriate for the court to comment on whether a claim is frivolous.

Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the mosque management committee, argued that the survey conducted by the ASI was a violation of the Places of Worship Act, as it delved into history and undermined the principles of fraternity and secularism.

The mosque panel informed the top court that the ASI survey would delve into the history of events that occurred 500 years ago and may reopen old wounds.

The challenge made by the Gyanvapi mosque committee against the order of a Varanasi district court, which called for a scientific investigation/survey/excavation of the premises, was previously also dismissed by the Allahabad HC.

The court stated that a scientific survey is necessary in the interest of justice.

The ASI is now able to proceed once again with the survey that was initiated on 24 July, but had to be halted due to the intervention of the Supreme Court.

The Gyanvapi mosque is located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.

Historical records indicate that it was constructed in the seventh century under the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who had the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple destroyed.

Subsequently, the present temple was built next to the mosque in the late eighteenth century on the orders of Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar.

Tags
Supreme Court of India
Allahabad High Court
Kashi Vishwanatha temple
ASI survey of gyanvapi mosque

Comments ↓

An Appeal...


 

Dear Reader,

 

As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.

 

Our business model is you and your subscription.  And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.

 

We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.

 

Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.

Get Swarajya in your inbox.


Magazine


Swarajya Magazine Cover Image
Merchandise

Merchandise


    Politics

    MoS External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi Denies Signing Lok Sabha Reply On Designating Hamas As Terror Organisation

    MoS External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi Denies Signing Lok Sabha Reply On Designating Hamas As Terror Organisation

    Swarajya Staff
    2h

    Hadiya, Woman At Centre Of Kerala Conversion Controversy, Says She Has Remarried

    Swarajya Staff
    3h

    Telangana: BJP Boycotts MLAs Oath-Taking Ceremony In Assembly After Akbaruddin Owaisi's Appointment As Pro-Tem Speaker

    Swarajya Staff
    4h

    Economy

    Enough Of Big Bang Reforms? No Major Announcements In Next Budget, "Wait Till July 2024", Says Nirmala Sitharaman

    Enough Of Big Bang Reforms? No Major Announcements In Next Budget, "Wait Till July 2024", Says Nirmala Sitharaman

    Nishtha Anushree
    2d

    ₹58,378 Crores! Govt Set To Open Taps On Additional Welfare Spending With 2024 In Mind

    Swarajya News Staff
    2d

    India Anticipated To Be Fastest Growing In Next Three Years, Set to Become Third Largest Economy By 2030: S&P

    Nishtha Anushree
    4d

    Defence

    On This Day, In 1971, Indian Navy Once Again Targeted Karachi While Airlift At Meghna Put India Ahead In The Race Towards Dhaka

    On This Day, In 1971, Indian Navy Once Again Targeted Karachi While Airlift At Meghna Put India Ahead In The Race Towards Dhaka

    Ujjwal Shrotryia
    49m

    On This Day, In 1971, Indian Military Keeps Up Pressure: With Intense Armour Clashes In Western Pakistan, While Second Naval Raid On Karachi Looms

    Ujjwal Shrotryia
    1d

    Indian Army Sets Sight On Future: Developing AI And Cybersecurity Tech; Can Now Interpret Enemy's Electronic Order Of Battle

    Swarajya Staff
    1d

    World

    After Becoming Longest-Serving President, Putin Announces Running For Election In Russia Again

    After Becoming Longest-Serving President, Putin Announces Running For Election In Russia Again

    Nishtha Anushree
    23h

    Maldives Skips Key Indian Ocean Security Meet With India And Other Neighbours, Opts For Chinese Forum Amidst Growing Tilt

    Swarajya Staff
    1d

    Azerbaijan President Accuses India And France Of Fuelling Armenia's Fire Of 'Revenge' For Loss In Nagorno-Karabakh War

    Swarajya Staff
    1d

    Culture

    From Jodhpur To Ayodhya On Bulls, Preserved Through Herbs: The Story Of Ghee To Be Used For Ram Lalla's First Aarti

    From Jodhpur To Ayodhya On Bulls, Preserved Through Herbs: The Story Of Ghee To Be Used For Ram Lalla's First Aarti

    Nishtha Anushree
    8h

    ‘Garba Of Gujarat’ Declared As Intangible Heritage By UNESCO

    Arun Kumar Das
    2d

    Gujarat's Garba Is Now In List Of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

    Swarajya News Staff
    2d
    States

    infrastructure


    Arun Kumar Das
    1

    Indian Railways To Run 4,500 Vande Bharat Trains By 2047, Says Union Minister Scindia

    2 Mins Read
    Arun Kumar Das
    2

    Path To Prosperity: National Tourism Policy Paves The Way For Economic Boost

    1 Mins Read
    Amit Mishra
    3

    Gurugram: Haryana Government To Incorporate 'New Company' For Millennium City Metro Corridor

    2 Mins Read
    Amit Mishra
    4

    Ayodhya Airport To Be Ready By December End, Says Jyotiraditya Scindia

    2 Mins Read