Gyanvapi Mosque Survey: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) continued the survey for the third day on Saturday of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. The Advocate representing the Muslim side, Mumtaz Ahmad, lashed out at the Hindu representative for allegedly spreading rumours about the fragments of idols found in the debris inside the complex.

"My representative is present there... Rumours are being spread even for areas where a survey is yet to be done, that an idol has been found or a trident has been found (inside the Gyanvapi mosque)... When the public sees this, there will be a frenzy... The administration should look into this, it is their duty to maintain law and order," Ahmad told the news agency ANI.

On Sunday, a lawyer representing the Hindu side, Sudhir Tripathi, said that "Not idols, but remains of fragmented idols have been found".

Recommended For You

"Not idols, but fragments of idols have been found in the debris. We are quite hopeful that idols will also be recovered. The Intezamia Masjid Committee is cooperating; they gave the keys, which they were not giving earlier," he added.

The 41-member ASI team surveyed the Gyanvapi mosque premises. It began at 8 a.m. and lasted till 5 p.m. The process was stopped at 12:30 p.m. for two hours to allow Muslim devotees to pray at the mosque.

The representatives of the Muslim side also participated in the Survey process. On Friday, the Supreme Court refused to put a stay on the Allahabad High Court order on the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had challenged the district court's order in the Allahabad High Court, which dismissed its petition on Thursday. It then quickly moved to the top court. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the Allahabad High Court order on the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque, an exercise that the Muslim side says will "reopen wounds of the past". However, the top court directed the ASI not to carry out any invasive act during the survey.

(With input from agencies)


Also In News