Hindu side to plea for ASI survey of entire Gyanvapi complex

To celebrate the completion of a year of the shivling-like structure being found in Gyanvapi, the Hindu petitioners worshipped Lord Mahadev in Varanasi's Vishwanath Temple and sought blessing from Him.

Varanasi: In a significant development, the Hindu side has decided to file a petition in the Varanasi Court today seeking an Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) survey of the entire premises of the Gyanvapi complex.

The decision comes four days after the Allahabad High Court had ordered the ASI to conduct the scientific survey of the alleged shivling-like structure that was found in the Gyanvapi complex by the ASI last year. A scientific survey of the 'shivling' was ordered to confirm the genuineness of the structure in a scientific manner. The survey would help in ascertaining how old the structure was and also whether it was really a shivling or some other structure. The modalities of the survey would be decided by the Varanasi court on May 22.

Now, the Hindu side has come up with a fresh demand of conducting a survey of the entire complex instead of restricting to the 'shivling' alone. "We want the survey to be conducted in the entire complex along with carbon dating and ground penetrating radar. Even the western wall of the masjid has to be brought under the purview of the survey. If there is permission to conduct scientific survey of the 'shivling' why not similar survey be conducted in the entire Gyanvapi complex?" asked a petitioner.

Also, the Hindu side petitioners have demanded rights to worship in the Gyanvapi complex. They said that last year, during videography visuals had revealed pictures of symbols related to the Hindu religion of many walls. The visuals clearly indicated that the site was related to Hindu gods and goddess, said another petitioner. Thus, a scientific survey will provide the necessary clarity, she added.

Earlier, in October 2022, the Varanasi Court had dismissed the plea of the Hindu petitioners for scientific survey. Following which, the petitioners had moved the Allahabad High Court after which, the scientific survey of the 'shivling' was ordered.