The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has resumed its scientific survey work at the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. The survey aims to determine whether the mosque was built on top of a Hindu temple. Five members from the Muslim side also participated in the survey, along with advocates from the Intezamia Masjid Committee. The Muslim side did not participate in the survey on Friday.
According to Rajesh Mishra, the government counsel who was present during the survey, the team started their work in the morning and will continue until 5 pm. Sudhir Tripathi, lawyer for the Hindu side, claimed that fragments of idols have been found in the debris and expressed hope that more idols will be recovered. Subhash Nandan, another lawyer for the Hindu side, stated that the ASI team is currently examining the central hall under the main dome.
Late on Friday night, Muhammad Yasin, joint secretary of the Intezamia Masjid Committee, announced in a letter that they would cooperate with the survey work as ordered by the Supreme Court.
Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of AIMIM, expressed concern that the ASI reports could lead to similar incidents like the Babri Masjid demolition. He hopes that history will not repeat itself when the ASI reports are made public.
