The Wazukhana case built in the Gyanvapi complex of Varanasi is to be heard in the Allahabad High Court today. A single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal will hear the case at 2 pm. The petition has been filed by the Hindu side Rakhi Singh. Rakhi Singh has filed a petition demanding a survey of the protected area of the Wazukhana by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
At the same time, the Allahabad High Court had adjourned the hearing on the petition challenging the order of the Varanasi District Judge on 2 December till 10 December. The District Court had refused to direct the survey of the Wazukhana area, which the Hindu side calls Shivling and the Muslims call a fountain. This order was passed by the District Judge of Varanasi on 21 October 2023. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal was hearing the civil revision filed by plaintiff Rakhi Singh in the Shringar Gauri Puja case in the Varanasi court.
What did the Varanasi District Judge say?
The revision petition said that the ASI survey of the Wazukhana area is necessary so that the religious character of the entire property can be determined. According to the petitioner, it is possible to survey the Wazukhana area (except the Shivling) using non-invasive methods as directed by the Supreme Court. However, while rejecting his application, the District Judge had said in his order that the apex court had on May 17, 2022 ordered to duly protect the area where the ‘Shivling’ is said to be found and hence it is not appropriate to direct the ASI to survey the area as it would be a violation of the order.
The Varanasi District Court had given the order in July 2023
The Varanasi District Court had on July 21 last year directed the ASI to conduct a detailed scientific survey, including excavation wherever necessary, to ascertain whether the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple is built on top of a temple or not. The mosque’s wuzukhana has been claimed by the Hindu parties to be a ‘Shivling’, but the Supreme Court had ordered to preserve that place in the mosque premises and the wuzukhana will not be a part of the survey.
