ASI Gyanvapi report says, ‘Large Hindu temple existed before’.

Islamic vandalism proved again…..

Grand Hindu temple existed at the site of Gyanvapi mosque: Archaeological Survey Reports reveal. 

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Lucknow | Jan 25, 2024:: Based on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) findings, it can be said that a “large Hindu temple” once exisited at the site of the Gyanvapi mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, the Hindu side in the dispute said on Thursday.

Earlier, both the Hindu and Muslim sides in the dispute had applied for copies of the ASI survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex adjoining the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The Gyanvapi survey  report by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) suggests the existence of a large Hindu temple structure at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said while reading out the survey report on Thursday in a press conference in Varanasi.

While addressing a press conference, Jain said that the ASI survey points towards the presence of a large Hindu temple that predates the current structure.

The ASI report, which included a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, has questions about the historical layers on the site. The current structure, according to Jain, seems to have been built upon a pre-existing structure.

“According to the ASI, it can be said that there existed a large Hindu Temple prior to the construction of the existing structure. This is the conclusive finding of the ASI,” advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is representing the Hindu side, said in the press conference.

He further added that as many as 32 Hindu temple inscriptions were found on pillars in Devanagri, Telugu and Kannada.

“There were attempts made to erase the symbols on temple pillars,” Jain added, citing the ASI report.

Following an order of the district court passed on July 21 last year, ASI carried out a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi premises to determine whether the mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

The survey was ordered by the court after the Hindu petitioners claimed the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing temple.

The ASI had submitted its survey report to the district court in a sealed cover on December 18. But, the designated court deferred the matter upto January 24,  viewing the law and order situation related to the Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration on January 22 as assumed.

Veteran Ramjanmabhoomi lawyer and father of  Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain told ANI, ” Eralier they objected the ASI survey. After that, a lot of objections were raised that do not make the (ASI) report public…Today, the Court heard both sides and decided to make the report available to both parties. The report will be made public and everyone will get to know in details what is in the report.”

Hindu Side Advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi told ANI, “ASI in its report has stated that a Hindu temple was destroyed & a Masjid was built on its remains…”

History tells that the Gyanvapi Mosque was constructed under the decree of Mughal emperor  Aurangzeb in 1669 upon demolition of an older Shiva temple.

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__Inputs from ANI and TOI.