Gyanvapi
The survey work of the Gyanvapi complex in Uttar Pradesh continued on Saturday for the second consecutive day. The ASI team began the survey work at 7 a.m. in the Gyanvapi premises. During the survey, information about various aspects was gathered. On the second day of the survey, representatives from the Muslim side also participated. The doors of the underground chamber were opened, and the survey team entered inside. During the survey, about 61 people were present inside the mosque premises. Along with the team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), representatives from the Hindu and Muslim sides, along with Hindu advocates, were also present. The survey work was interrupted for lunch, and it resumed around 2:30 p.m. Interesting to note, people from Karachi have arrived, and the atmosphere is reminiscent of what was seen during the promotion of the movie “Gadar” across the country.
Let’s know the five important updates from the survey:
1. Claim of Finding a Statue of Half-Man, Half-Animal
In the Gyanvapi case, the Hindu party’s advocate, Sita Sahu, made a significant claim after the first phase of the survey was completed on Saturday. She said that a damaged statue has been found in the underground chamber. It is claimed to be about four feet tall and is considered to be a statue of half-man and half-animal. It is also being presented as the incarnation of Lord Narasimha. The survey team is examining the sculptures found inside the underground chamber. Besides, remains of broken pillars of the temple have also been found. During the second day of the survey, representatives from the Muslim side also cooperated. Sita Sahu mentioned that a video recording of the underground chamber has been made. It is also claimed that a two-foot trident was found during the survey, along with five pots along the four-foot statue.
2. Muslim Party Participates in the Survey
On Saturday, the Muslim party also participated in the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises. Earlier, when the ASI team revisited Gyanvapi after about 11 days, the Muslim party had rejected the offer to cooperate. However, after the administration intervened in the matter, Muslim representatives are now cooperating with the ASI survey. Advocate Mumtaz Ahmad, representing the Muslim side in the survey, stated that they are satisfied with the ASI survey. Yesterday, they were not participating in the survey, but today they are actively involved and supporting the ASI team.
3. Muslim Party Hands Over the Key to the Underground Chamber
After the ASI survey began in the Gyanvapi premises, the Muslim party initially refused to hand over the key. Subsequently, the administration intervened in the matter. There were discussions with the Muslim party, and they finally handed over the key to the underground chamber to the ASI. The ASI team is conducting the survey inside the underground chamber. During this process, various items such as a lotus, trident, pots, and sculptures have been claimed to be found inside the mosque premises. The survey team has also recorded the carvings and architectural features of the walls and pillars.
4. Claims Emerge as Soon as the Underground Chamber Opens
As soon as the underground chamber was opened, various claims started surfacing. Several media reports suggest that the Hindu party has claimed to find a four-foot statue inside the underground chamber. The statue is said to represent a half-man, half-animal form and is being presented as the incarnation of Lord Narasimha. The ASI team is currently surveying the sculptures found inside the underground chamber. Claims have also been made regarding the discovery of lotus, trident, pots, and sculptures on the walls and pillars. The style of sculpture and its antiquity have been noted by the ASI team. It is claimed that carvings of elephants have been found on the western wall of Gyanvapi, along with engravings of swastikas, lotuses, and other floral motifs.
5. ASI Survey Expected to be Completed in Four Weeks
The ASI survey work, led by Additional Director General Dr. Alok Tripathi, is expected to be completed in four weeks. The ASI team started the survey work in the barricaded area of Gyanvapi two days ago. Since then, claims from the Hindu party have been increasing. The Gyanvapi survey has also become a political issue. Earlier, CM Yogi referred to it as a mosque, leading to controversy. Now, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP of stirring up disputed issues.
