News Headlines
Gyanvapi Row: Varanasi Court Asks DM To Preserve Items Related To Hindu Religion Found During ASI Survey
Nishtha Anushree
Sep 14, 2023, 03:09 PM | Updated 03:09 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
The Varanasi district court issued instructions to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Wednesday (13 September) to safeguard all objects with historical significance related to the Hindu religion uncovered during the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi premises. These preserved items will be submitted to the District Magistrate.
The district court also directed the District Magistrate or their designated representative to ensure the protection of these items and make them available to the Court as needed.
On one hand, the Hindu party has requested an evidence room to preserve the 'evidence' gathered during the ASI survey and to secure the Gyanvapi premises.
On the other hand, the Muslim party has raised objections to the utilization of machines and equipment by the ASI for conducting the survey.
The order precedes a hearing scheduled in the Allahabad High Court regarding a petition that questions the legality of a lawsuit aimed at "restoring" a temple located within the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.
Furthermore, the court will consider another petition challenging a 2021 directive issued by a Varanasi court, which mandated a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque to be carried out by a commission led by a lawyer.
In August, the Allahabad High Court granted permission for the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi.
However, the court has now granted an additional four weeks to the ASI to complete the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, extending the deadline until 6 October 2023, for the survey's completion and report submission.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Nishtha Anushree is Senior Sub-editor at Swarajya. She tweets at @nishthaanushree.
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.