The Allahabad High Court is set to hear a petition on December 10, requesting an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Wazukhana area of the Gyanvapi mosque in Uttar Pradesh. The petition, filed by plaintiff Rakhi Singh on October 22, seeks the ASI’s intervention to conduct a survey of the Wazukhana located within the mosque premises.
The case is being heard by a single bench comprising Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal. The Wazukhana was sealed by the Supreme Court following a dispute over a structure within the mosque premises. The Hindu side claims that a Shivling was discovered in 2022 at the site, while the Muslim side contends that it is a water fountain.
Earlier this year, the Hindu side approached the Supreme Court to seek the de-sealing of the Wazukhana area in the Gyanvapi complex. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, filed a plea in January requesting the court to allow the ASI to conduct another comprehensive survey of the Wazukhana without causing any harm to the Shivling.
On November 28, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) expressed its concern over the growing number of claims in courts regarding mosques and dargahs. In a statement, the AIMPLB described these claims as a “blatant mockery of the law and the Constitution.”
“It is deeply unfortunate and shameful that, after the claims on Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Shahi Eidgah in Mathura, Bhojshala Mosque in Madhya Pradesh, Teele Wali Masjid in Lucknow, and Sambhal’s Jama Masjid, a claim has now been made on the historic Ajmer Dargah. Despite the provisions of the law, the court has accepted Vishnu Gupta’s petition for hearing and issued notices to the parties,” said SQR Ilyas, the National Spokesperson for the Board.
The AIMPLB also pointed out that a civil court in Ajmer has “unfortunately” accepted a petition alleging that the Ajmer Dargah is the Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple.
Also Read: CM Siddaramaiah Kicks Off International Cricket Stadium Project in Tumakuru
