The Supreme Court has issued a stay on the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex until July 26, 2023. The court has also instructed that the Allahabad High Court’s order shall not be enforced during this period, allowing the mosque committee to approach the High Court. The ASI team had planned to conduct a scientific survey of the mosque complex in Varanasi, adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, but it has been temporarily put on hold.
Key Points
- No ASI survey till July 26: The Supreme Court has decided that the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex will not proceed until July 26, 2023.
- High Court intervention: The mosque committee has been advised to approach the Allahabad High Court in response to the Varanasi district court’s order regarding the ASI survey of the mosque complex.
- Stay order by SC: The Supreme Court has issued a stay on the execution of the Varanasi court’s order to allow the concerned parties to challenge it before the High Court.
- Compliance with the court order: The authorities in Varanasi have confirmed that they will abide by the Supreme Court’s stay order on the ASI survey of Gyanvapi Mosque complex until 5 pm on July 26.
- ASI’s earlier plans: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had dispatched a team to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi, with the exception of the ‘Wazukhana’ area, which has been sealed.
Implications
This decision by the Supreme Court to stay the ASI survey has significant implications for both the religious and archaeological communities. It provides an opportunity for the mosque committee to present their case before the High Court and seek further legal recourse. The ASI survey, when conducted, may shed light on the historical and architectural aspects of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, which is adjacent to the revered Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s stay order has temporarily halted the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, allowing time for legal actions and interventions. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the High Court will respond to the mosque committee’s appeal and how the archaeological survey will proceed in the future.
