Water Tank in Gyanvapi Mosque Complex in Varanasi to Undergo Cleaning on Saturday

GG News Bureau
Varanasi, 19th Jan. The sealed water tank in the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi will undergo cleaning this Saturday, following approval from the Supreme Court.

On January 16, the Supreme Court granted permission to Hindu women plaintiffs to clean the water tank in the Gyanvapi mosque, which is located in a sealed area.

A bench consisting of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra ordered the cleaning of the water tank under the supervision of the Varanasi district magistrate.

Madan Mohan Yadav, the counsel for the Hindu side, stated that District Magistrate S Rajlingam held separate meetings with the Hindu side and the Anzuman Intezamia masjid committee on Thursday. They decided that the cleaning work would commence at around 9 am on Saturday and be completed by 11 am.

During the cleaning process, two representatives from each party will be present to ensure that no one’s religious sentiments are offended.

Last year, on July 21, the Varanasi district court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a detailed scientific survey, including excavations if necessary, to determine whether the mosque was built on top of a temple next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The “wazukhana” of the mosque, where Hindu litigants claim a “Shivling” exists, will not be included in the survey, as it is protected by a previous Supreme Court order.

Hindu activists argue that a temple previously stood at the site and was demolished in the 17th century under the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.