Everything About Gyanvapi Mosque Case - Explained

The Gyanvapi Mosque case is a highly contentious and sensitive legal dispute in India, centered around the Gyanvapi Mosque located in Varanasi, Uttar

 Gyanvapi Mosque Case

Today, we're exploring the Gyanvapi Mosque Case, a legal and cultural dispute that touches the very heart of India's complex religious and historical landscape. Situated in Varanasi, one of the world's oldest and most revered cities, the Gyanvapi Mosque stands adjacent to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a site sacred to millions of Hindus worldwide. 

This case has ignited passions, provoked debates on secularism, and raised poignant questions about India's heritage. As we unravel the layers of this dispute, from its historical roots under Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to the ongoing legal battles and archaeological surveys, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues at stake. 

Join us as we navigate through the narratives, legalities, and the broader implications of the Gyanvapi Mosque Case on India's societal fabric. Stay tuned for an enlightening journey through history, law, and religion.

What is Gyanvapi Mosque Case?

The Gyanvapi Mosque case is a highly contentious and sensitive legal dispute in India, centered around the Gyanvapi Mosque located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, one of the oldest and most important cities for Hinduism. The dispute involves claims by Hindu groups that the mosque, built in the 17th century during Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's reign, is constructed on the site of an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

• There is a dispute regarding the mosque, with some believing it was built on the remains of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
• Various petitions have been filed in different courts, including the Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court, and Varanasi district court, addressing different aspects of this dispute.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain stated, "The ASI has concluded that a significant Hindu Temple existed before the current structure was built. This is the definitive finding of the ASI."

History of Gyanvapi Mosque Case

Varanasi is a city of immense religious significance to Hindus, and the presence of the Gyanvapi Mosque adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a major pilgrimage site, has been a source of tension and conflict over the years. The name "Gyanvapi" itself is derived from the Sanskrit words for knowledge ('gyan') and water ('vapi'), referring to the well located within the mosque complex, which Hindus regard as sacred.

The Gyanvapi Mosque is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, one of the world's oldest inhabited cities and a site of immense religious significance for Hindus. The mosque is adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, making the area highly sacred to Hindus.

The mosque was constructed in 1669 under the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It is widely believed by many historians and Hindu groups that the mosque was built after demolishing a Hindu temple that previously stood on the site, a claim that forms the basis of the ongoing dispute. However, this claim is contested by some historians and members of the Muslim community.

In the years following India's independence in 1947, the issue of religious sites and the contention between Hindu and Muslim communities over such sites became part of a larger national conversation on secularism, religious freedom, and communal harmony.

Legal Landscape and Historical Claims

The Gyanvapi Mosque, situated next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is believed by many Hindus to have been built over a demolished Hindu temple. This belief is supported by certain historical records and accounts, although contested by others, creating a narrative of historical injustice that fuels the dispute. The legal claims thus revolve around the right to worship and the historical status of the site, with petitions filed by Hindu groups seeking access to perform rituals at specific spots within the mosque premises they claim hold Hindu religious significance.

Legal Developments

The legal battle over the Gyanvapi Mosque site has seen various developments over the years, with multiple cases filed in courts regarding the ownership and access rights to the site.

The ongoing legal battle originates from a petition submitted in 1991 in Varanasi, which demanded the return of the Gyanvapi land to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The contention behind the petition was the allegation that the mosque standing there was built on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who is claimed to have demolished part of the temple in the 16th century to construct the mosque.

Court orders for surveys and investigations within the mosque premises, including the filming and mapping of the mosque structure, have been part of the legal proceedings, aiming to gather evidence regarding the claims of both Hindu and Muslim parties.

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 prohibits the conversion of any place of worship and maintains the religious character of places of worship as it was on August 15, 1947, except for the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. The Gyanvapi case, like others, navigates the complexities of this law, as Hindu groups argue for an exception based on historical and religious claims predating the cut-off date.

The Act was intended to prevent exactly the kind of disputes exemplified by the Gyanvapi case. However, the Act also became a point of contention, with some Hindu groups arguing for exceptions based on historical grievances.

Current Status of Gyanvapi Mosque Case

In recent years, court-mandated surveys, including videography and archaeological examinations of the mosque premises, have been conducted to gather evidence regarding the claims of both Hindu and Muslim parties. These surveys have reignited the debate and led to further legal and communal tensions.

The case has experienced several legal developments, involving pauses, extensions, and contestations to various rulings. In 2021, the Allahabad High Court intervened by stopping the proceedings in the Varanasi court. This decision underscored the significance of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which mandates that the religious nature of a place of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947, cannot be altered.

In 2019, following the Supreme Court's verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, lawyer Vijay Shankar Rastogi initiated legal action that led to a directive for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out a scientific survey. This move set off a chain of legal proceedings and responses related to the case.

ASI Findings of Gyanvapi Mosque Case

Following a district court order issued in July 2023, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook a scientific investigation at the Gyanvapi premises. The objective of this survey was to ascertain whether the mosque had been built atop a previously existing Hindu temple structure. This inquiry was part of a broader legal and historical examination into the origins and transformations of the site, reflecting ongoing interest and controversy over its historical and cultural heritage.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, speaking on behalf of the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case, has stated that the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) findings are definitive. Jain highlighted that the survey conducted by the ASI confirms the existence of a significant Hindu Temple that predates the mosque currently standing at the Gyanvapi complex, as reported by ANI.

#WATCH | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, gives details on the Gyanvapi case.

He says, "The ASI has said that there existed a large Hindu Temple prior to the construction of the existing structure. This is the conclusive… pic.twitter.com/rwAV0Vi4wj

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024

01. According to a report by ANI on the Gyanvapi mosque complex, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has uncovered evidence suggesting that a pre-existing structure was dismantled in the 17th century, and "part of it was modified and reused." The ASI's findings, based on scientific analyses, indicate that "a large Hindu temple existed prior to the construction of the existing structure."

02. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report highlights an Arabic-Persian inscription located within a room, indicating that the mosque was constructed in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb, around 1676-77 CE. The ASI's findings suggest, "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."

03. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report further clarifies that the western wall of the present structure is identified as a remnant of a 'pre-existing Hindu temple'. In the process of expanding the mosque and developing the 'sahan', the report notes that components from the earlier temple, including pillars and pilasters, were recycled with slight modifications.

04. The report also highlights a significant finding where a pillar decorated with bells, niches for placing lamps on all sides, and carrying an inscription from the year Samvat 1669, was repurposed in cellar N2. Furthermore, the excavation revealed sculptures representing Hindu deities and intricately carved architectural fragments buried under the soil in cellar S2, pointing to the remnants of Hindu religious and architectural elements within the site.

Hindu women petitioners in Supreme Court

In January 2024, the Supreme Court approved a petition by female Hindu petitioners requesting the cleaning of the entire 'wazukhana' area within the Gyanvapi mosque. "Currently, the 'wazu' area is sealed. It has been cleaned and is under the custody of the Varanasi District Magistrate. With the ASI survey report expected soon, I believe we are nearing victory. I am confident that we will witness the day when Gyanvapi is liberated from this unlawful occupation," Jain informed ANI earlier on Thursday.

In a significant move on January 16, the Supreme Court acceded to the requests made by Hindu women petitioners concerning the Gyanvapi mosque, specifically regarding the 'wazukhana' area within the premises. The directive from the Supreme Court was aimed at ensuring the cleanliness and hygienic upkeep of the 'wazukhana' zone, where an object claimed by the Hindu petitioners to be a 'Shivling' was reportedly found. This directive underscores the court's intent to maintain the sanctity and cleanliness of the area pending further examination and legal proceedings.

This development follows the 2022 incident when the 'wazukhana' area was cordoned off by a Supreme Court mandate. This action was a response to the contentious discovery made on May 16, 2022, during a court-sanctioned survey. The discovery stirred significant religious and legal debates, with the Hindu claimants identifying the object as a 'Shivling'—a symbol of Lord Shiva, while the Muslim community described it as a 'fountain.' The event occurred in the context of a broader survey of the structure adjoining the revered Kashi Vishwanath temple, further amplifying the historical and religious sensitivities surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

Sociopolitical Implications

The Gyanvapi case goes beyond a property dispute, reflecting the broader communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims in India. Similar to the Ayodhya dispute, which was resolved in 2019 with the Supreme Court of India ruling in favor of building a Hindu temple on the disputed site, the Gyanvapi case has the potential to influence communal relations and political narratives across the country. Political parties and various social and religious organizations closely follow the case, often using it to mobilize support and frame broader debates about religious identity and heritage in India.

Religious and Cultural Significance

For Hindus, the city of Varanasi itself holds immense religious significance, being one of the holiest cities and an important pilgrimage site. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred abodes of Shiva. The alleged presence of a Shiva lingam within the Gyanvapi Mosque compound has thus heightened the religious sentiments and demands for access and rights to worship.

Legal and Constitutional Questions

The dispute raises significant questions about the interpretation and application of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which aims to maintain the religious character of places of worship as it was in 1947, except for the Ayodhya case. The Gyanvapi case tests the boundaries of this law, challenging how India's secular courts reconcile contemporary legal frameworks with ancient religious claims and historical narratives.

Looking Ahead

As the Gyanvapi case progresses through the legal system, it will likely continue to evoke strong reactions and debates about India's religious diversity, secularism, and the role of the judiciary in resolving disputes that are deeply embedded in the country's historical and cultural fabric. The outcome of the case could set precedents for how similar disputes are approached in the future, making it a landmark case with far-reaching implications. Further updates regarding this case will be updated here.

Reference: 

• The Economic Times
• Live Mint
• Live Mint