Gyanvapi | 'Preserve Objects Related To Hindu Religion Of Historical Significance Found By ASI In Scientific Survey': Varanasi Court To DM
The Varanasi District Court on Wednesday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to submit all objects, related to the Hindu religion having historical significance, found in the ongoing Scientific Survey of the Gyanvapi premises, to the District Magistrate. The Court has also directed the the DM concerned or a person nominated by him to protect those objects/materials and to...
The Varanasi District Court on Wednesday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to submit all objects, related to the Hindu religion having historical significance, found in the ongoing Scientific Survey of the Gyanvapi premises, to the District Magistrate.
The Court has also directed the the DM concerned or a person nominated by him to protect those objects/materials and to present them before the Court, as and when required.
"It seems appropriate that in the scientific survey of the Mosque Premises, being conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India, whatever objects and materials are obtained from the site in question, which are related to the facts of this case or are related to the Hindu religion and worship system or are relevant to this case from a historical or archaeological point of view, be handed over to the District Magistrate or any officer nominated by him who will keep those things safe and present them in the court whenever the court calls for them. The Archaeological Survey of India shall make a list of the materials obtained during the survey and file a copy of that list in the Court and submit a copy to the District Magistrate," the District Court's operative portion reads.
The order has been passed by the Court while allowing the two applications [(348 ग) and (362 ग)] moved by Rakhi Singh (filed through Advocates Saurabh Tiwari and Anupam Dwivedi) in the Shringar Gauri Worshipping suit 2022 (presently pending before the Varanasi Court). Singh is herself a plaintiff in the said suit which seeks year-round access to worship inside the Mosque premises.
For the applicant/Rakhi Singh, Advocate Saurabh Tiwari appeared who primarily argued that it is essentially to preserve the Gyanvapi Mosque premises as well sealing certain areas of the premises where Hindu signs and symbols are found. He alleged that such symbols were being destroyed by the Masjid Committee members.
BREAKING | #VaranasiCourt directs the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to submit all objects, related to the Hindu religion having historical significance, found in the ongoing Scientific Survey of the #Gyanvapi premises, to the District Magistrate.#GyanvapiMosque pic.twitter.com/s1R14NKQot
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) September 14, 2023
Essentially, in her first application (348 ग), Rakhi Singh prayed to the Court to pass an order 'preserving' the Gyanvapi Mosque Premises claiming that the Mosque committee is destroying the historical evidence related to the Hindu religion which is available at the disputed site.
The application also stated that if the available evidence related to the Hindu religion is destroyed, then there will be difficulty in the disposal of the 2022 Suit as well and there will be a problem in reaching an appropriate judicial conclusion in the matter.
More details about the application here: Plea To 'Preserve' Gyanvapi Premises: Varanasi Court Grants Mosque Committee Time Till August 9 To File Its Objections
Further, in her second application (362 ग), Singh prayed for "sealing and protecting" certain areas of Gyanvapi Mosque premises where Hindu Signs and symbols exist so that "no damage can be done to the same by Anjuman Masjid Committee and Namaz offerers".
The application also sought a direction to concerned respondent authorities to make a regulation to restrict and regulate the number of Namaz Offerers at the disputed site and a direction to the Anjuman Committee to refrain from any dying and painting the structures inside Gyanvapi mosque premises.
More details about the application here: Gyanvapi | Fresh Application Filed In Varanasi Court To Protect Hindu Signs/Symbols, Restrict Number Of 'Namaz Offerers'
In related news, the ASI last week assured the Court of District Judge, Varanasi that no damage will be caused to the Gyanvapi Mosque structure while clearing the debris and garbage from the mosque complex.
The ASI also informed the Court that since garbage and debris in the form of stone slabs, and fallen material have accumulated in and around the Gyanvapi Mosque complex, therefore, it has become indispensable to clear the waste so that a proper scientific investigation of the complex can be undertaken.
"The court has directed that the survey should be done of the basements and therefore it is necessary that the soil and debris that has accumulated there should be removed and no damage should be done to the standing figure. The debris is being removed very carefully and properly which is likely to take time," the counsel for the ASI today submitted before the Court while seeking a further 8 weeks time to complete the survey of the mosque premises.
This assurance was given days after the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (which manages Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque) expressed its apprehension that removing the debris or soil present inside the western barricading of the western wall of Gyanvapi Mosque and collecting the debris by bringing it to another place would be a threat to the building of the mosque and it may collapse due to this.