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Gyanvapi mosque: Swami Chakrapani urges to Muslim side to give right of Hindus back

January 26, 2024, 9:37 am

Following the release of the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, Hindu Mahasabha president Swami Chakrapani Maharaj has urged the Muslim side to return the rights of the Hindus and set an example. The Varanasi district court had ordered the ASI survey after Hindu petitioners claimed that the 17th-century mosque was built over a pre-existing temple.

Swami Chakrapani Maharaj stated, “In the Gyanvapi case, the ASI has given a decisive report. It is clear that before the current structure, there was a huge Sanatani Temple. I appeal to the Muslim side that they should hand the rights of the Hindus back to them and set an example that if the Mughals did something incorrect, then the present Muslim generation does not support it.”

The ASI’s report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex indicated that a pre-existing structure was likely destroyed in the 17th century, and “part of it was modified and reused.” The report mentioned, “Based on scientific studies, it can be said that there existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure.” The ASI highlighted that the “western wall of the existing structure is the remaining part of a pre-existing Hindu temple.”

The ASI report detailed findings such as Arabic-Persian inscriptions mentioning the mosque’s construction during Aurangzeb’s reign and the reuse of pillars and pilasters from the pre-existing structure. Swami Chakrapani Maharaj’s appeal reflects a call for understanding and acknowledgment of historical inaccuracies.

Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath Temple: ASI survey report to be made public

January 24, 2024, 5:16 pm

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report was requested to be made public today and sent in hard copy to both sides by the Varanasi district court on Wednesday.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said, “Today, the court heard both sides and a consensus was reached that the hard copy of the ASI’s report will be provided to both sides…The ASI objected to providing the report via email. So, both sides agreed to get the hard copy of the report.”

“The court listened to both sides today. After hearing both sides, an agreement was reached that a certified copy of ASI’s report be made available to both sides. As soon as the court passes the order, our legal team will apply for the certified copy…”

On January 16, the Supreme Court granted an application filed by Hindu women petitioners who wanted instructions to maintain hygienic conditions and clean the entire “wazukhana” of the Gyanvapi mosque, the location of the purported “Shivling.” The district administration of Varanasi will oversee the cleaning of the “wazukhana” area, according to a bench consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. This is in accordance with earlier orders from the highest court.

Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishvanath temple: Application in SC for cleaning of ‘wazukhana’

January 3, 2024, 7:11 am

An application was filed in the Supreme Court by the Hindu petitioners seeking direction from the District Magistrate of Varanasi for cleaning the entire area of ‘wazukhana’ of Gyanvapi mosque where the alleged ‘Shivling’ was found, and maintain hygienic condition.
‘Wazukhana’ is the reservoir where devotees perform ablutions before offering namaz.

The application said fish in the water tank died between December 12 to 25, 2023 and due to the same, there is a putrid smell emitting from the tank.

“Since there exists Shivlingam which is sacred to Hindus and should be kept away from all dirt, grime, dead animals, etc. and must be in clean condition, is currently in the midst of dead fishes which is hurtful to the sentiments of the devotees of Lord Shiva,” the application stated.

The application filed through advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said fish in the water tank have died and due to the same, there is a putrid smell emitting from the tank.
It is further submitted that the Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masjid which manages the mosque in the Gyanvapi complex is responsible for the condition of fish due to which they have died.

“In case, the fish would have been transferred as requested by District Magistrate, Varanasi the present unfortunate situation would have not occurred,” the application said while seeking direction to clean ‘wazukhana’.
The area of ‘wazukhana’ was sealed in 2022 on a Supreme Court order after the discovery of what was said to be a ‘Shivling’.

A structure — claimed to be a “Shivling” by the Hindu side and a “fountain” by the Muslim side — was found in the mosque premises on May 16, 2022, during a court-mandated survey of the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The ‘Wazu’ area of the Gyanvapi mosque is the centre of the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute between Hindus and Muslims parties in the case since the Hindu parties claim that ‘Shivling’ has been found in that spot, however, the Muslim side disputed the same and said that it is only a water fountain.

Gyanvapi mosque case: Varanasi court orders ASI to submit items found during survey

September 14, 2023, 6:53 pm

The Archaeological investigation of India (ASI) has been directed by the Varanasi district court hearing the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi mosque cases to submit objects discovered during the scientific investigation of the premises to the district administration.

District Judge A K Vishvesha issued the judgment on Wednesday after hearing a slew of motions from the Hindu side seeking the security of the premises.

“I have considered all the facts of the case and keeping in mind that a scientific survey is being conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India at the site. I find it is suitable that whatever objects and items are being found at the site in question, which maybe connected to this case, or to Hindu religion or worship, or are historical and are important for disposal of this case, should be submitted to the district magistrate or an officer chosen by him, who can keep those items safely and present them before a court when it is called for,” said the judge in his order.

ASI survey continues at Gyanvapi Mosque Complex on Day 7

August 10, 2023, 11:01 am

An advocate for the Hindu side said on Thursday that both the Muslim and Hindu sides are cooperating and adhering to the court order as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) continues its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex on its seventh day.

Advocate Shubhash Nandan Chaturvedi said,” The ASI survey is proceeding smoothly and in a systematic way. Both Hindu and Muslim sides are cooperating and abiding by the court’s order.”
Earlier today a team of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) arrived at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi.

Following the Allahabad High Court’s order allowing the ASI to conduct the survey to ascertain whether the 17th-century mosque was built over an earlier structure of a Hindu temple, the scientific survey of the complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, excluding Wuzu Khana, began last Friday.

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday, August 3, dismissed the plea filed by the Muslim side, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, challenging the Varanasi court order allowing the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, except the ‘Wazukhana’ area where a “Shivling” was claimed to have been found last year.

ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque will continue today

August 7, 2023, 9:57 am

The fifth Monday of the current “Sawan”month may cause a slight delay in the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) planned scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex, according to an attorney for the Hindu side. The ASI survey, which is still in progress, is in its fourth day.

“Survey work is under progress. Anjuman Intezamia Committee is also cooperating with the survey. There can be a little delay to start the survey as today is the fifth Monday of ‘Sawan’ month,” said Sudhir Tripathi, an advocate representing the Hindu side.
Another advocate, Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, representing the Hindu side in the case, said, “ASI is conducting the survey in a systematic and scientific manner. Measurements are being done, it will take some time. They will submit the report to the court after the survey is completed.”

The lawyer for the Hindu side, Vishnu Shankar Jain, told the media in Varanasi on Sunday that the Muslim side had complied with the court’s order and had given the survey their full cooperation. “The ASI is working efficiently. The Muslim side complied with the court’s directive and gave the survey their full cooperation. The survey is being conducted using all current methods. The work will continue as the court directs going forward, he said. According to attorney Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, additional investigation of the mosque’s grounds is also being conducted.

“ASI is doing its work smoothly. They are doing their required analysis. The further investigation of the premises of the mosque is also being done.Photography, measurement and mapping has been done of all the three tombs. A study is being conducted of the entire campus…GDPR machines have been used,” Chaturvedi said.

ASI team starts the day-3 of scientific survey at Gyanvapi mosque premises

August 6, 2023, 9:42 am

To continue the complex’s scientific survey, a group of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials arrived at the Gyanvapi mosque on Sunday morning. Prior to the arrival of the ASI team, a sizable police presence was also deployed in the area. According to attorneys, the court-ordered survey’s primary phase is now complete, and the secondary phase, which will involve “machines” like radars, will start today.

A lawyer for the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case named Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi stated, “Today will mark the start of the third day of the survey. Today’s start of the secondary stage follows the conclusion of the primary stage. Additionally, machines will be used. Another advocate for the Hindu side, Sudhir Tripathi, stated, “Today is the third day of the survey. Yesterday, a number of devices were used, including the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), and today, radars could be used. The survey is satisfactory to us, and the Muslim side is cooperating and has no complaints.

The scientific survey of the complex , adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, excluding Wuzu Khana, began on Friday, following Allahabad High Court’s order, which allowed the ASI to conduct the survey, to determine if the mosque was built on a pre-existing temple.

ASI begins survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex amid strict security

August 4, 2023, 10:45 am

On Friday morning, a team from the Archaeological assessment of India (ASI) arrived at the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque, which is close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and began a scientific assessment of the complex under strict security.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had filed a petition objecting to the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) survey of the mosque complex next to Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath temple, but the Allahabad High Court on Thursday allowed the ASI to proceed with its survey.
“Everyone (including ASI officials) arrived at that location.

The Varanasi District Judge’s order from July 21 had been contested by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee.
In response to a request made by four Hindu ladies on May 16, 2023, Varanasi district judge AK Vishvesha ordered the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex on July 21.
However, the Wuzu Khana (ablution pond area) of the complex was not included in the district judge’s ruling because it had been sealed after the high court’s directive.

The Supreme Court had earlier ordered the ASI to delay its thorough scientific investigation of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi until 5 p.m. on July 26 in order to determine whether the mosque next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple. At that time, the hearing on the matter was in progress.

Allahabad HC permits ASI to conduct survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi

August 3, 2023, 10:38 am

The Varanasi Gyanvapi mosque complex is being surveyed by the Archaeological Survey of India, thanks to permission from the Allahabad High Court on Thursday.

“Allahabad High Court has said that ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex will start. Sessions court order is upheld by the High Court,” Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in Gyanvapi survey case told reporters. The Allahabad High Court dismissed Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee’s plea, challenging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the mosque complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had challenged the Varanasi District Judge’s July 21 order.
On July 21, Varanasi district judge AK Vishvesha ordered the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex on an application moved by four Hindu women on May 16, 2023.
The order of the district judge, however, excluded the Wuzu Khana (ablution pond area) of the complex, which has been sealed on the order of the top court.
Earlier the Allahabad High Court asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to not start the survey of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi as the hearing on the matter is underway after Supreme Court put on hold till 5 pm July 26 a detailed scientific survey by the ASI to determine if the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple.

The district court ruling ordering the ASI to undertake the contentious survey was being challenged in court.
On July 24, the Supreme Court accidentally dismissed an appeal from the committee contesting the maintainability of a lawsuit filed by Hindus in the trial court demanding the right to worship within the mosque. The Supreme Court later addressed this error in its ruling relating to the Gyanvapi mosque issue.

On July 24, the top court decided the main case while also granted relief on the interim plea by postponing the ASI survey.
The mosque committee had petitioned the supreme court for a stay on ASI work in the ongoing case with its interim appeal.

ASI starts its inspection of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex excluding ‘Wazukhana’ area

July 24, 2023, 10:54 am

In order to conduct a scientific survey of the mosque complex next to Kashi Vishwanath temple, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team traveled to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. The Hindu side’s attorney, Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, predicted that Hindus will benefit from the survey’s findings. Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi stated to reporters, “We are confident that the entire premises is a temple only. The survey’s findings will be in our favor.

“Today the Gyanvapi survey will be conducted, it is a good thing for us…the survey will begin at 7 am, can’t say how long it will go on…”, said Sudhir Tripathi, advocate representing Hindu side.
On Sunday, the ASI team reached Varanasi with all the required equipment.
Notably, a Varanasi Court on Friday gave directions to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding the ‘Wazukhana’ area which has been sealed.
“I have been informed that my application has been approved and the court has given directions to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding the Wazukhana which has been sealed. I think the survey can be completed within 3 to 6 months,” said advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain appearing for the Hindu side.

The court’s ruling, according to Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, who also represents the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, is a turning point in the litigation. “Our request to participate in the ASI survey has been approved. The case has reached a turning point, he said. The court issued its ruling in response to a petition from the Hindu side asking that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) be directed to conduct a “scientific survey” of the entire Gyanvapi mosque grounds.

Gyanvapi mosque: SC agrees to hear tomorrow plea of Muslim side against HC’s order on determining age of ‘Shivling’

May 18, 2023, 3:50 pm

The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for 19 May to consider an appeal challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court. The High Court had directed a “scientific survey,” which includes carbon dating, of a “Shivling” reportedly discovered at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi during a videographic survey conducted last year.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala said it would hear on Friday the appeal filed by Gyanvapi mosque management committee against the High Court’s recent order for scientific investigation by ASI to determine the age of “Shivling”. Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, mentioned the matter for urgent hearing saying the Allahabad High Court has passed an order when the appeal is pending.

During the survey, a structure — claimed to be a “Shivling” by the Hindu side and a “fountain” by the Muslim side — was found in the mosque premises on May 16 last year during a court-mandated survey of the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.The High Court on May 12 set aside the Varanasi District judge’s order which had rejected the application for a scientific survey and carbon dating of the “Shivling” on October 14, 2022.

The High Court directed the Varanasi District judge to proceed, in accordance with the law, on the application by the Hindu worshippers for conducting a scientific probe of the “Shivling”.Petitioners Laxmi Devi and three others had filed a plea in the High Court, challenging the order lower court order.

Mathura Court orders survey of Krishna Janmabhoomi’s Shahi Idgah site

December 24, 2022, 4:54 pm

In the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case, Mathura local court passed an order on Saturday to survey the disputed site.

Meanwhile, while hearing the petition of Hindu Sena the Court of Senior Division issued an order to survey the disputed site. To all the parties the notices have been issued and the court has asked to comply with the court’s order.

Earlier on 20 January the survey report was presented in court. A video graphics survey has been ordered by the Varanasi court of the Gyanvapi Masjid.

Moreover, in Mathura’s Sri Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Idgah Mosque dispute case court has ordered a survey by ‘Amin’ on the claim of the Hindu Sena.

Earlier on 8 December national president of Hindu Sena Vishnu Gupta and vice president Surjit Singh Yadav, residents of Delhi claimed that the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb demolished the temple on 13.37 acres of land of Lord Krishna’s birthplace and then Idgah was constructed.

However, the agreement made in the year 1968 between Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh vs Shahi Masjid Idgah has also been challenged by the petitioners. To all the defendants the court of Civil Judge Senior Division III Sonika Verma served a notice.

“An Act to prohibit conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto,” this what the law says.

Gyanvapi case next hearing to be held on 21 December

December 19, 2022, 2:40 pm

The hearing of the Gyanvapi case has been postponed which was scheduled to be held on Monday. Due to the condolence meeting the hearing has been postponed. Meanwhile, the hearing will be held on 21 December 2022.

Gyanvapi mosque case: HC asks petitioners to approach SC on carbon dating

December 1, 2022, 11:37 am

In the Gyanvapi mosque case, the Allahabad high court on Wednesday instructed Hindu and Muslim petitioners to approach the Supreme Court to ascertain if it had barred any scientific analysis, including carbon dating, of a building discovered inside the mosque grounds on May 16.

The Varanasi court ruling that denied the petition for carbon dating and scientific evaluation of the structure was being challenged by Laxmi Devi and three other parties in a civil revision case that was being heard by the court.

The Hindu side claims that the structure is a ‘shivling’, the Muslims say it’s part of a fountain.

Varanasi district judge A K Vishvesh turned down the plea on October 14, citing Supreme Court directives for its safe keeping.

The lawyer for the Muslim side said during the hearing on Wednesday that the Supreme Court had prohibited any investigation in its order from May 17. The lawyer for the Hindu side opposed to this.

Later, both lawyers requested time to ask the Supreme Court for clarification. They were able to get the clarification thanks to the bench.

There are now seven cases in various courts that are connected to the Gyanvapi mosque and its premises.

Varanasi Court dismisses Muslim’s side plea in Gyanvapi Mosque case

November 17, 2022, 5:43 pm

The Anjuman Islamia Masjid committee’s plea has been dismissed by the Varanasi Fast Track Court on Thursday.

The plea of the Anjuman Islamia Masjid committee was challenging the maintainability of a suit to hand over possession of the Gyanvapi Mosque premises to the Hindu side.

Meanwhile, the court defers hearing till 2 December. Another petition was filed by Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sanstha in the fast-track court of Varanasi.

After the alleged Shivling was found Kiran Singh, wife of Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sanstha President Jitendra Singh Vishen, and others filed the petition.

Moreover, the Hindu side wants the immediate beginning of the prayer of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar. The petition also demands handing over the entire Gyanvapi complex and banning the entry of Muslims inside the premises.

Under Order 7/Rule 11 the court said that “this matter is not maintainable.”

The Hindu side Advocate Anupam Dwivedi said, “Varanasi Court dismisses the plea filed by the Masjid committee challenging the maintainability of the suit in the Gyanvapi Mosque case. The next hearing is on December 1.”

However, on the premises of the Gyanvapi Mosque Muslim side is allowed to offer prayers till the matter is in court.

Supreme Court decides to take up Gyanvapi Mosque dispute on November 11

November 10, 2022, 12:51 pm

The Supreme Court agreed on Thursday to hear the case concerning the safeguarding of “Shivling,” which was found at the Varanasi Gyanvapi mosque complex. The case will be heard at 3 p.m. on Friday.

Justices Hima Kohli and JB Pardiwala, along with Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, announced they would form a bench to hear the case.

On May 17, the Supreme Court issued an interim order directing to protect the area where the “Shivling” was discovered and granting access to Muslims for namaz. The order stated that this protection should continue until the Varanasi court decides whether the lawsuit can be maintained, and then for an additional eight weeks to allow parties to pursue legal remedies.

Hindu parties’ attorney Vishnu Shankar Jain brought up the issue before the Supreme Court in an effort to extend the temporary order safeguarding “Shivling.”

The interim injunction must be renewed, according to Jain, as it is set to expire on November 12.

He further emphasised the fact that the Muslim parties’ application under Order 7 Rule 11 (rejection of petitions) was turned down.

The Varanasi District Court ruled in September that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, did not preclude the lawsuit.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which oversees the Gyanvapi mosque, had argued that the claim brought by Hindu women was not maintainable, but it had been rejected.

The Supreme Court is currently considering an appeal that the Committee filed in opposition to an order by the Allahabad High Court allowing a court-appointed commissioner to inspect, survey, and film the Gyanvapi mosque, where both Hindus and Muslims have claimed the right to worship.

On May 20, the Supreme Court issued an order transferring the civil judge’s case involving worship at the Gyanvapi mosque to the Varanasi District Judge.

The District Judge was to decide whether the civil case filed in the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath on a matter of priority, as requested by the Committee of Management of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi, could be maintained, according to the clause.

Plea seeking the worship of ‘Shivling’ in Gyanvapi mosque postponed by Varanasi court

November 8, 2022, 1:49 pm

The plea seeking worship of the ‘Shivling’ that the Hindu side claimed to be found on the Gyanvapi mosque premises has been postponed by a Varanasi court to November 14.

The plea was scheduled to be heard today, but it is adjourned as the concerned judge would not sit in the court today. The court was expected to rule on the plaintiff’s three primary demands, which were to grant permission for Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar to immediately begin offering prayers, turn over the entire Gyanvapi complex to Hindus, and forbid Muslims from entering the Gyanvapi complex’s grounds.

The Muslim side is allowed to offer prayers at present, as per the reports.The scientific investigation of the purported ‘Shivling’ was refused by the Varanasi court in the previous hearing.

The Hindu side had asked for carbon dating of the object inside the wazukhana of the Gyanvapi Mosque that they believed to be a Shivling.
The discovered building, according to the Muslim side, was a “fountain,” though. On September 22, the Hindu side had filed a request with the Varanasi District Court asking for a carbon dating of the artefact they claimed to be the “Shivling.”
The Hindu side said that they would appeal the Varanasi court’s decision not to permit a “scientific investigation” of the alleged “Shivling,” which they claimed to have discovered on the grounds of the Gyanvapi mosque, to the Supreme Court.

The Varanasi court said, “It would not be proper to order the survey of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and by giving such order the age, nature, and structure of the said Shivling is known, even this does not imply the possibility of a just solution”.

Advocate Vishnu Jain, representing the side in the Gyanvapi case, “Court has rejected our demand of seeking carbon dating. We’ll move to Supreme Court against this order and challenge it there. I cannot announce the date as of now, but we’ll soon challenge this order in Supreme Court.”

“Though the court has rejected the demand of requesting carbon dating, the option of going to the High Court is available, and the Hindu side will make their argument before the High Court as well,” said Madan Mohan Yadav, another attorney for the Hindu side.
The Varanasi Court had stated that “if the claimed Shivling is damaged by taking samples, then it will be in violation of the judgement of the Supreme Court” in reference to the Supreme Court’s ruling from May 17.

The Varanasi Court had stated that “if the Shivling is harmed, the religious feelings of the general people can also get injured.”
The age of an archaeological object or find can be determined scientifically using carbon dating.

Varanasi court to deliver verdict on seeking worship of ‘Shivling’

November 8, 2022, 11:33 am

On the plea seeking worship of the ‘Shivling’ by the Hindu side fast-track court in Varanasi will pronounce its verdict on the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

On the three main demands, the Civil Judge Senior Division Fast Track court will deliver its verdict. The three verdicts are the prayer of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar, the handing over of the entire Gyanvapi complex to the Hindus, and the banning of the entry of Muslims inside the premises of the Gyanvapi complex.

Meanwhile, at present Muslim side is allowed to offer prayers.

Earlier in October, the Varanasi court refused to allow a ‘scientific investigation’ of the ‘Shivling’.

After this Hindu side demanded carbon dating of the structure found inside the Gyanvapi Mosque’s wazukhana and applied on 22 September in the Varanasi District Court.

Moreover, the Muslim side said the structure found in the Gyanvapi Mosque is of a ‘fountain’.

On September 29 the hearing took place where the Hindu side had demanded a scientific investigation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of the ‘Shivling’.

“It would not be proper to order the survey of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and by giving such order the age, nature, and structure of the said Shivling is known, even this does not imply the possibility of a just solution,” the Varanasi court said.

Advocate Vishnu Jain said, “Court has rejected our demand of seeking carbon dating. We’ll move to Supreme Court against this order and challenge it there. I cannot announce the date as of now, but we’ll soon challenge this order in Supreme Court.”

“Though the court has rejected the demand of seeking carbon dating, the option of going to the High Court is available and the Hindu side will place their point before the High Court as well,” Hindu side Madan Mohan Yadav said.

“If the alleged Shivling is damaged by taking samples, then it will violate the order of the Supreme Court. If the Shivling is damaged, the religious sentiments of the general public can also get hurt”, the Varanasi Court said.

Meanwhile, the court had reserved the order in the Gyanvapi Mosque-Shringar Gauri case after hearing both sides’ arguments.

Earlier on 20 May the case related to worship at Gyanvapi mosque was transferred by the Supreme court from the civil judge to the District Judge, Varanasi.

Representing the Muslim side Akhlaq Ahmed said “We responded to the application on carbon dating. Stone does not have the capacity to absorb carbon. The Supreme Court in its May 17 order, according to, the object that the commission found, had to be protected. The order of the SC will prevail, so the object cannot be opened. According to the Hindu side, the process will be scientific, even if it is so, there will be tampering with the object. Chemicals will be used for the test. We will take action based on the order by the court on October 14.”

However, Tohid Khan another lawyer representing the Muslim side said, “The court will deliver its verdict on whether the application seeking carbon dating is acceptable or should be rejected. The structure is a fountain and not Shivling. The fountain can still be made operational.”

Gyanvapi mosque case: Court rejects Hindu worshippers’ plea for Carbon Dating of Shivling

October 14, 2022, 3:54 pm

The district court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, took up the case involving the Gyanvapi mosque on Friday. The Hindu worshippers’ petition asked for carbon dating or any other type of scientific investigation of the Shivling-like structure found in the mosque premises. The plea to perform the carbon-dating was rejected by the court.

In the Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi case, one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Madan Mohan, rejected the argument for carbon dating or any other type of scientific research of the structure that the plaintiffs claimed to be a Shivling and other nearby structures. He said that the court ordered to preserve the structure in its original state.

The Hindu petitioners claimed that a “Shivling” was discovered during a court-ordered camera inspection of the mosque grounds. In response, the Muslim side asserted that the object was a part of the fountain.

Earlier this week, the court had reserved its judgement during the hearing in Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi complex case after the Muslim side had submitted its response.

The attorneys for Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC), the Muslim side, objected to the plaintiff’s plea for carbon dating and scientific investigation of the fountain, which they claim to be a Shivling, and other structures on the Gyanvapi mosque compound. In their response, they stated that carbon dating of the structure is not “feasible” and “irrelevant.”

Raees Ahmed, one of the attorneys for AIMC, the organisation responsible for maintaining the Gyanvapi mosque, stated in court that carbon dating of the stone is not possible, it is non-feasible, since stone is not an organic matter.

Gyanvapi row:Courts wants Muslim side’s response to the ‘Shivling-carbon dating’ argument

October 7, 2022, 3:37 pm

A court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh has asked the Muslim side to file its reply by October 11 on the ‘Shivling carbon dating’ argument. The statement from the court came after an application was admitted last month regarding carbon dating of a structue found inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex. It is being claimed by the Hindu petitioners that the structure is “Shivling”.

The Muslim side had also been directed by the Varanasi District Court to submit their objections last month. When the Hindu petitioners’ request for permission to carbon date the Shivling-like structure discovered on the Gyanvapi mosque compound, walls, and other structures on the masjid complex was accepted by district judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesh, the court issued notice and requested a response from the Muslim side.

But later, one of the Hindu litigants appeared to be protesting, indicating that there was split among them. One of the five female claimants in the Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi complex dispute, Rakhi Singh, claimed that carbon dating the Shivling was an insult to religion and feelings of Sanatani Hindus.

It might be viewed as a “act of sacrilege,” according to Jitendra Singh Bisen, head of the Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Singh and a representative of Rakhi Singh. He had said, “It’s like casting doubt on Shivling’s very existence.”

The original lawsuit in the sensitive Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi complex case called for the restoration of the historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple at the location where the Gyanvapi Mosque now stands. Five female Hindu petitioners asserted that the mosque is a portion of the temple in the lawsuit.

In the meantime, on September 29, the Allahabad High Court issued a temporary stay on a Varanasi court ruling until October 31 in order to allow the Archaeological Survey of India to survey the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi.

Gyanvapi Mosque row: Amid celebration Hindu devotees dance after court’s verdict

September 12, 2022, 5:01 pm

Manju Vyas, one of five Hindu women whose request for daily prayer in the Gyanvapi masjid in Uttar Pradesh has been approved by the Varanasi district court, and told reporters on Monday: “Bharat is happy… and my Hindu brothers and sisters should light diyas to celebrate.”

In a 47-second video posted by the news agency, Vyas can be heard shouting with joy and chanting “Har Har Mahadev” before beginning to clap and dance.

#WATCH | Varanasi, UP: "Bharat is happy today, my Hindu brothers & sisters should light diyas to celebrate," says petitioner from Hindu side Manju Vyas as she dances & celebrates the Gyanvapi Shringar Gauri verdict pic.twitter.com/hO7frpErNF
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 12, 2022

“It is a win for Hindus… the next hearing is on September 22. It’s a foundation stone for the Gyanvapi temple,” Sohan Lal Arya, another petitioner, said.

The Anjuman Committee’s appeal against the Hindu worshippers’ request for authorization to conduct daily worship of Hindu deities in the Gyanvapi mosque was dismissed by district judge AK Vishvesha minutes earlier.

On Monday, the Varanasi District Court ruled that the Gyanvapi Mosque case is maintainable and the five Hindu women’s arguments for the right to pray in the mosque will be heard. The well-known Kashi Viswanath temple is near the Gyanvapi mosque.

The Muslim party’s petition was denied by the court, which declared the case to be maintainable. According to Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is the district court’s representative for the Hindu side, the case’s next hearing is scheduled for September 22.

Gyanvapi Mosque verdict: Varanasi court upholds maintainability of Hindu side’s, rejected the opponent’s petition

September 12, 2022, 3:00 pm

The Varanasi District Court ruled that the Gyanvapi Mosque case is maintainable and the five Hindu women’s arguments for the right to pray in the mosque will be heard. The well-known Kashi Viswanath temple is near the Gyanvapi mosque.

A Varanasi court on Monday will issue its ruling on a motion disputing the maintainability of the lawsuit, which five Hindu women brought for the right to worship at the Gyanvapi Mosque property next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The Places of Worship Act, 1991, which forbids the conversion of places of worship and calls for the maintenance of their religious character as it existed on August 15, 1947, was cited by the Anjuman Islamia Masjid Committee (AIMC), which oversees the mosque, in its plea to contest the maintainability.

August 2021: The five women file a lawsuit in Varanasi’s civil judge’s (senior division) court, requesting authorization for daily worship in the Gyanvapi complex’s Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal.

April 2022: The court names an advocate commissioner and requests a complex survey.

May 6, 2022: Before AIMC’s advocates submit a claim that advocate commissioner Ajai Mishra is prejudiced the following day, the survey begins.

May 12: The court declines to have Mishra removed; it hires top attorney Vishal Singh as special advocate commissioner and requests that their team provide its findings by May 17.

May 14: The survey picks back up and goes for two more days.

May 19: The team gives the court its report.

May 20: Citing the “complexities and sensitivity of the situation,” the Supreme Court transfers the case to the district judge in Varanasi. It states that handling the case by a senior judicial official with over 25 to 30 years of expertise will be preferable.

May 26: The case maintainability hearing gets underway.

August 24: Following the conclusion of the arguments from both the Hindu and Muslim sides, Varanasi District Judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesha reserves his decision until September 12.

Gyanvapi Mosque ruling: Varanasi court to issue order on Monday

September 12, 2022, 1:46 pm

August 2021: The five women file a lawsuit in Varanasi’s civil judge’s (senior division) court, requesting authorization for daily worship in the Gyanvapi complex’s Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal.

April 2022: The court names an advocate commissioner and requests a complex survey.

May 6, 2022: Before AIMC’s advocates submit a claim that advocate commissioner Ajai Mishra is prejudiced the following day, the survey begins.

May 12: The court declines to have Mishra removed; it hires top attorney Vishal Singh as special advocate commissioner and requests that their team provide its findings by May 17.

May 14: The survey picks back up and goes for two more days.

May 19: The team gives the court its report.

May 26: The case maintainability hearing gets underway.

August 24: Following the conclusion of the arguments from both the Hindu and Muslim sides, Varanasi District Judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesha reserved his decision until September 12.

Gyanvapi case: Advocate repressing Mosque committee died of cardiac arrest

August 1, 2022, 11:54 am

Senior lawyer Abhaynath Yadav, 60, who oversaw the legal team representing Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee in the Gyanvapi mosque issue, passed away on Sunday night from a cardiac arrest. The mosque is overseen by the committee.

Yadav, a resident of Pandeypur in Varanasi who has been a practitioner for 35 years, is survived by his widow, son, and two daughters. Yadav was transported to a private hospital where, according to his family, he was certified dead after complaining of chest pain at 10.30 p.m. on Sunday.

Last month, Yadav concluded his arguments in the Gyanvapi case before the Varanasi district court. SM Yasin, joint secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, was one of many who expressed sorrow at Yadav’s passing.

The hearing on a motion by the committee contesting the maintainability of a lawsuit brought by five Hindu women seeking authorization for unrestricted rights to pray to Hindu idols placed within the mosque compound was resumed by the Varanasi district court last month.

Gyanvapi Mosque Case: SC to await order from Varanasi court, postpones hearing till Octobe

July 21, 2022, 4:56 pm

The apex court deferred the appeal filed by the Anjuman Intezemia Masjid Committee until October as it awaited the decision of the Varanasi court on the committee’s plea, which has questioned the maintainability of the suit filed by a Hindu woman.

The Honourable JusticeD Y Chandrachud, PS Narasimha, and Surya Kant have turned down the plea to offer water to the “Shivling” found in Gyanvapi Mosque.

The plea was seeking the right to offer prayers as the holy month of “Shravana” has begun, but the court has restrained the Hindus from performing any rituals as the issue is yet to be resolved judiciously.

Another plea has been filed by seven women asking for Carnot dating and a ground penetration radar survey of the shivling discovered in the Gyanvapi Mosque was declined by the court.

Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the mosque management committee, expressed wrath and said that the order by the court allowing the commissioner to survey the premises of the mosque is no less than a poison tree whose poison fruit has attempted to alter the situation of the mosque which has lasted for centuries.

The bench was hearing the plea filed by the Gyanvapi Mosque committee. They challenged the order of the Allahabad high court which allowed the appointment of a commissioner to investigate and video-graph the conflicted territory of the mosque to which Hindus and Muslims have been claiming the right to worship.

The Supreme Court had ordered the transfer of the case from the civil judge to the district judge of Varanasi on May 20.

According to the request made by the Committee of Management of Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi, the District Judge should determine whether the civil lawsuit filed in Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath on a matter of priority can be maintained.