Nithyakalyani Narayanan. V
A request for a directive to survey the Shivalingam located at the Gyanvapi site of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been made to the Supreme Court of India.
The application filed by the Hindu party states, “Direct the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India to make necessary investigation/survey of Shivlingam for determining the nature of Shivlingam and associated features without causing any damage to the Shivlingam situated within the sealed area in terms of the impugned order dated 12.05.2023 passed by the Hon’ble High Court after removing the artificial/ modern walls/floors surrounding the Shivlingam and also to undertake survey of the entire sealed area by excavation and using other scientific methods and submit report within the time provided by the Hon’ble Court…”.
It has been argued that Muslims do not find religious importance in the region where Shivlingam is encircled by erect artificial walls that are a contemporary construction unrelated to the ancient edifice, despite the fact that Muslims claim to have a fountain there.
The court has also been informed that the stated new building was done on purpose to conceal the traditional Shivlingam characteristics, namely Peeth and Pithika.
“It is submitted that the survey of the entire premises has been conducted except the sealed area by ASI and now it is necessary that the sealed area be also surveyed by ASI, otherwise, the very purpose of survey would be frustrated as there will be no report of ASI regarding the area under seal”, the plea adds.
The court has also been informed that the main question in this case is whether the object discovered by the Advocate Commissioner in May 2022 is a fountain or a Shivlingam, and that determination can only be made through scientific research.
Two weeks ago, the CJI-led bench of the Supreme Court granted a motion to purge the water tank at the controversial Gyanvapi Mosque location where the Shivling was discovered. In order to determine the age of the purported Shivlingam discovered in Gyanvapi, the Allahabad High Court had already approved an ASI survey and a scientific survey. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was conducting a survey at the disputed Gyanvapi site, and on August 4, 2023, the Supreme Court declined to halt it.
Case Title: Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Varanasi vs. Rakhi Singh