The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has challenged the findings of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regarding the Gyanvapi mosque premises in Varanasi. The ASI had conducted a scientific survey, claiming evidence of a pre-existing Hindu temple.
Qasim Rasool Ilyas, an executive member of AIMPLB, dismissed the ASI report as not providing “conclusive evidence” in this contentious case. He accused Hindu communal organizations of insulting the court by releasing the ASI report to the media and misleading the public.
Ilyas stated, “The opposition party has created a feeling of anarchy and insecurity in society.” He further alleged that the Hindu side had previously attempted to create unrest by publicizing the ASI’s description of a fountain as a Shivalinga.
“Hindu communal organizations have been misleading the public for many years regarding the Gyanvapi Masjid. The latest example of this is a report of the Archaeological Survey of India which they filed in the court and made available to the plaintiff and defendant only on the orders of the court. This report was for their study and preparation but by publishing it in the press, the opposition party has not only insulted the court but has also tried to mislead the simple people of the country,” he said.
“A few months ago, when the survey team in its report had described the fountain present in the reservoir as Shivalinga, the opposition party had tried its best to mislead the public and create unrest in the society by publicizing it, even though experts It could not be investigated nor did the court give any decision on it,” he added.
The AIMPLB, a prominent Muslim organization, was formed in 1973 to safeguard Muslim Personal Law in India.
This response from the Muslim side follows claims made by Hindu plaintiffs’ lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who cited the ASI report, asserting evidence that the Gyanvapi mosque was built after demolishing a Hindu temple in the 17th century.
The ASI’s 800-page report, submitted in sealed covers to the Varanasi court, revealed that a pre-existing structure was destroyed in the 17th century, and part of it was reused in the construction of the mosque. The report suggested the existence of a large Hindu temple before the mosque’s construction.
The dispute over the Gyanvapi mosque premises escalated after the Allahabad High Court rejected a petition by Muslim litigants seeking a stay on the Varanasi court’s order for the ASI’s scientific survey. The ASI used ground-penetrating radar and other instruments during the survey, documenting various objects, inscriptions, and sculptures found on the premises.
“The Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb (1676-77 CE). Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure. Based on scientific studies/survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure,” the ASI said in its report.
“Based on the scientific studies and observations on central chamber and main entrance of the pre-existing structure in existing structure, western chamber and western wall, reuse of pillars and pilasters of pre-existing structure in the existing structure, inscriptions on the existing structure, Arabic and Persian inscription on the loose stone, sculptural remains in cellars, etc. it can be said that there existed a large Hindu temple, prior to the construction of the existing structure,” the report further said.
“In compliance of the order of the District Court, Varanasi, dated July 21, 2023, affirmed by the High Court of Allahabad by order dated August 3, 2023, and the Supreme Court of India by order dated August 4, 2023, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out a scientific investigation and survey in a 2150.5-square-meter area fenced with steel grills in and around the existing structure (excluding the areas sealed by the orders of the Supreme Court). All the objects which were noticed during the scientific investigation or survey in the complex were duly documented. These objects include inscriptions, sculptures, coins, architectural fragments, pottery, and objects of terracotta, stone, metal, and glass,” the report said.
“A series of cellars were also constructed to the east to create additional space and a large platform in front of the mosque for accommodating a large number of people for prayers. Pillars from earlier temples were reused while making cellars in the eastern part of the platform. A pillar decorated with bells, niches for keeping lamps on all four sides, and bearing an inscription of Samvat 1669 is reused in cellar N2,” it said.
“Sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found buried under the dumped soil in cellar S2,” it added.