The Gyanvapi Mosque Tale: Unveiling Its Past

The Gyanvapi Mosque and a Call for Change

Just a couple of days after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) shared its findings about the Gyanvapi mosque, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) made a strong pitch. They want the place to be officially called a Hindu temple and have asked the Muslim side to hand it over.

What the Survey Suggests

Representing the Hindu side, Vishnu Shankar Jain says the ASI survey hints that the mosque was built on the remains of an old Hindu temple. According to him, this temple was destroyed by Aurangzeb in the 17th century. The ASI report even talks about finding bits of statues of Hindu gods during the survey.

Different Takes on the Survey

But the Muslim folks involved in the case say that the ASI report isn't the final say on the matter. They believe there's more to the story that needs exploring.

VHP's Demands and the Religious Angle

Over the weekend, the VHP insisted that Hindus should be allowed to do "sewa puja" to a 'Shivlinga' discovered in the contested "Wazukhana area." Alok Kumar, the VHP's working president, argues that the ASI's evidence proves the place was a Hindu Temple even before 1947. He suggests declaring it a Hindu temple under the Places of Worship Act, 1991.

A Call for Harmony

The VHP goes further, urging the Intezamia Committee (caretakers of the mosque) to think about moving the Gyanvapi mosque to another spot. In return, they propose giving the original Kashi Vishvanatha site back to the Hindu community. Kumar believes this could help build friendly relations between the two communities.

A Peek into Gyanvapi's Past Disputes

This whole Gyanvapi mess has been going on for years. It got intense in August 2021 when five women asked a local court for the right to worship freely at Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal, home to Hindu deity idols.

A Rocky Survey and Legal Battles

Things escalated in April 2022 when a court ordered a tricky survey of the complex, leading to protests. By May, the survey ended, but not before the Hindu side claimed they found the Shivling at the last minute, sparking disputes. The court locked down the complex and sealed off the wazukhana area inside, even though the Muslim side argued it was just a ceremonial fountain.

The District Court Decision

Last year, the Varanasi district court ordered a thorough ASI survey to figure out if the mosque was built on an old temple. The judge left out the disputed part, keeping it sealed.

What the ASI Report Tells Us

According to the ASI report, there was a big Hindu temple before the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi. The report talks about scientific studies, old inscriptions, and stuff, pointing to the temple being wrecked during Aurangzeb's time.

Aurangzeb's Part in the Story

The report mentions an inscription that says the mosque was built in Aurangzeb's 20th regnal year. This suggests that the old structure was likely wrecked in the 17th century during Aurangzeb's rule, and some parts were reused in the mosque.

Bits of the Old Temple in the Mosque

The report notes that elements like pillars with bells, spots for lamps, and inscriptions from the original temple were reused to build the mosque. Based on the art and structure, the ASI concludes it was indeed a Hindu temple.

In a nutshell, the Gyanvapi Mosque Complex is like a puzzle, and it's tangled up in legal stuff. Sorting it out needs a good look at history and understanding what everyone feels.