The non-invasive, scientific survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) inside the the Gyanvapi complex in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi entered day five on Tuesday. The survey is being conducted to ascertain whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.
According to the the Hindu-side advocate Sudhir Tripathi, the ASI team resumed the survey at 8am. He later also added that the survey of the dome was yet to be completed.
“It seems the survey of the dome has not been completed. 'Tahkhana' is also being surveyed. Without removing the rubble, photography and videography are not possible,” Tripathi said, as per media reports.
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The survey by the ASI is still in its ongoing phase amid beefed up security measures at the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
It has been reported that the ASI team will conduct the survey till 12.30pm. Between 12.30pm and 2.30pm, the survey will be halted for lunch.
According to a Hindu side petitioner, Rekha Pathak, “The 'Tahkhana' might be opened today. We are very excited about the survey. It has become our routine to get up in the morning and head for duty. That's how we feel. Our work is to supervise. We have had talks and the survey starts at 8am and will go on till 5pm.”
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Following the Supreme Court's order, which refused to stay Allahabad High Court's order allowing the ASI to conduct the survey, the scientific survey of the complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, excluding Wuzu Khana, resumed.
The high court on Thursday 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.
