Temple Remnants Found in Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Mosque: Union Minister Advocates for Property Handover
The discovery of temple remnants in the Gyanvapi Mosque of Varanasi has generated controversy. Union Minister and BJP leader, Giriraj Singh, prompted the Muslim community to transfer the mosque to Hindus in the name of communal harmony. The news originates from the leading source of Reader Wall.
Details of the ASI Survey Findings
An Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) study discovered traces of a preexisting temple beneath the Gyanvapi Mosque’s architecture. As a response to this revelation, Giriraj Singh, a BJP leader and Union Minister, stated that the Muslim community should cede the mosque to the Hindus. This statement was issued with the view of maintaining communal harmony and peace.
Singh used historical rulers Babur and Aurangzeb as metaphoric references, stating, “If someone tries to be Babur or Aurangzeb, youths will have to become Maharana Pratap.” This comment is viewed as an urging for contemporary society to be peaceful and avoid historical conflicts.
Case of the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath
Vishnu Shankar Jain, representative of the Hindu community in the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath dispute, suggests that the ASI survey certifies the mosque was erected over the remnants of a former temple. He alleges the mosque was created in the 17th century, following Aurangzeb’s destruction of a grand Hindu temple. During the survey, the statuary debris of Hindu gods was unearthed within two basements. “A stone with ‘mahamukti’ inscribed on it has also been found,” Jain added.
The western wall of the mosque was found to have a ghanta (bell) and a swastik (an ancient symbol in Hindu culture) inscribed. This along with other evidence suggests that the temple of Adivishwara was demolished by Aurangzeb in the 17th century and a mosque was constructed over it.
Response from the Mosque’s Management Committee
However, the mosque’s management committee clarified that the survey report does not equate to a final judgement. Mohd Yasin, the secretary of the committee, emphasized, “This is just a report and not a ‘faisala’ (judgment). There are several kinds of reports. It is not the final word on the issue.”
Asaduddin Owaisi has also questioned the veracity of the report, dubbing it conjectural and failing to meet high academic standards of archaeologists or historians.
Pertinent updates will be covered by Reader Wall as further information arrives.
