Judgment to continue Gyanwapi survey: Advocate rejects demand to change commissioner

The court allowed a survey to be conducted to find Hindu idols in the vicinity of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi. The Varanasi court rejected the request to remove the Advocate-Commissioner conducting the survey and appointed two more commissioners. The court directed the UP police to provide protection to the survey.

Five women have applied to the court to worship at the idols attached to the west wall of the Gyanvapi Masjid near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The petition stated that permission should be granted for daily prayers at the idols of Sringar Gauri and Ganesha. The petition also said that there were more idols inside the mosque complex.

The court appointed Ajay Mishra as the Advocate Commissioner to look into the matter. Ajay Mishra, who came for the survey yesterday, was opposed to the Masjid Committee’s suggestion to film the area. The committee asked the court to remove Ajay Mishra. The court allowed the survey to continue today after hearing the arguments of both the parties. The survey can be conducted every day from 8 am to 12 noon. It needs police protection. The court also ruled that there was no impediment to filming the scenes.

The court did not replace Ajay Mishra but appointed two more commissioners to conduct the survey. The court said the Masjid Committee should co-operate with the survey and take a case if blocked. The report is due on Tuesday. The Masjid Committee has decided to question the order in the Supreme Court. The BJP welcomed the court decision. The developments in Varanasi are also an indication of the move to divert attention to Kashi and Mathura after Ayodhya.

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