NI Bureau
In the heart of Varanasi, an ancient city steeped in history and spirituality, a remarkable event has unfolded – the commencement of the Gyanvapi survey. Led by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), this scientific investigation aims to unravel the enigma surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque.
But this story takes a dramatic twist! The mosque management committee, deeply entwined in its beliefs, has taken a stand against the inspection. Their petition against the Varanasi district court’s order has set the stage for a clash of perspectives.
As the sun rises over the Gyanvapi mosque, the survey team sets out on its mission, but it encounters resistance. The sealed “wuzukhana,” a place believed to hold a sacred relic of Lord Shiva, remains off-limits. It was here, during a previous survey, that Hindu litigants claimed to have discovered the divine ‘Shivling.’
Syed Mohammad, the Joint Secretary of the Masjid Committee, boldly declares their boycott of the ASI’s survey. With no committee members present during the inspection, tensions escalate, and the mystery deepens.
The deadline for the ASI’s report looms – August 4th, a date etched with anticipation and apprehension. The Varanasi district court’s order, sought by four women worshippers, emphasizes the need for a scientific study to uncover the truth.
“The truth lies beneath the layers of time,” they say, and the court resonates with their plea.
Yet, this is not the first time the Gyanvapi mosque has been at the center of controversy. In the past, the shrine within its walls, known as “Shringar Gauri,” had stirred debates. The same petitioners had yearned for access, seeking answers from the annals of history.
For Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, representing the Hindu side, the court’s decision signifies a turning point. Hope surges through him as he declares, “Our application for the ASI survey has been accepted. It is a turning point in the case.”
Awaiting the Supreme Court’s judgment, the echoes of a past deferred survey resonate. Carbon dating and scientific inquiry were once halted, questioning the veracity of the “Shivling” discovery. The Gyanvapi mosque authorities contested, claiming the structure to be a sacred part of a fountain in the “wazukhana.”
The year before, the Varanasi district judge had dismissed challenges, asserting the strength of the women’s case. Clashes of faith and law, beliefs and evidence, make this tale a gripping legal saga.
And so, in the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Gyanvapi mosque stands as a symbol of divergent beliefs. It is one among several mosques, embroiled in claims of having risen from the vestiges of ancient Hindu temples.
As the survey unfolds and the court session approaches, the nation watches, captivated by the unfolding narrative of Gyanvapi – a place where history and beli
In the heart of Varanasi, an ancient city steeped in history and spirituality, a remarkable event has unfolded – the commencement of the Gyanvapi survey. Led by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), this scientific investigation aims to unravel the enigma surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque.
But this story takes a dramatic twist! The mosque management committee, deeply entwined in its beliefs, has taken a stand against the inspection. Their petition against the Varanasi district court’s order has set the stage for a clash of perspectives.
As the sun rises over the Gyanvapi mosque, the survey team sets out on its mission, but it encounters resistance. The sealed “wuzukhana,” a place believed to hold a sacred relic of Lord Shiva, remains off-limits. It was here, during a previous survey, that Hindu litigants claimed to have discovered the divine ‘Shivling.’
Syed Mohammad, the Joint Secretary of the Masjid Committee, boldly declares their boycott of the ASI’s survey. With no committee members present during the inspection, tensions escalate, and the mystery deepens.
The deadline for the ASI’s report looms – August 4th, a date etched with anticipation and apprehension. The Varanasi district court’s order, sought by four women worshippers, emphasizes the need for a scientific study to uncover the truth.
“The truth lies beneath the layers of time,” they say, and the court resonates with their plea.
Yet, this is not the first time the Gyanvapi mosque has been at the center of controversy. In the past, the shrine within its walls, known as “Shringar Gauri,” had stirred debates. The same petitioners had yearned for access, seeking answers from the annals of history.
For Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, representing the Hindu side, the court’s decision signifies a turning point. Hope surges through him as he declares, “Our application for the ASI survey has been accepted. It is a turning point in the case.”
Awaiting the Supreme Court’s judgment, the echoes of a past deferred survey resonate. Carbon dating and scientific inquiry were once halted, questioning the veracity of the “Shivling” discovery. The Gyanvapi mosque authorities contested, claiming the structure to be a sacred part of a fountain in the “wazukhana.”
The year before, the Varanasi district judge had dismissed challenges, asserting the strength of the women’s case. Clashes of faith and law, beliefs and evidence, make this tale a gripping legal saga.
And so, in the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Gyanvapi mosque stands as a symbol of divergent beliefs. It is one among several mosques, embroiled in claims of having risen from the vestiges of ancient Hindu temples.
As the survey unfolds and the court session approaches, the nation watches, captivated by the unfolding narrative of Gyanvapi – a place where history and belief collide, and where only the truth can bring resolution.
ef collide, and where only the truth can bring resolution.
Aniket Sardhana
