Gyanvapi Case: Aurangzeb Wasn't Cruel, No Shivling Found Inside Premises, Mosque Committee Tells Court

GYanvapi Mosque case: The Mosque committee denied the contention of the Hindu side that the Lord Adi Vishweshwar Temple temple was attacked and destroyed by a Muslim invader.

Muslim devotees come out of Gyanvapi mosque after offering Friday prayers ( Image Source :PTI )

Opposing the Hindu side's plea seeking ASI survey of premises of Gyanvapi Mosque, the Mosque committee submitted an application to the Varanasi court saying that neither Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was cruel, nor did he demolish any Lord Adi Vishweshwar Temple in Varanasi.

In its application, the Muslim side denied the contention of the Hindu side that the Lord Adi Vishweshwar Temple temple was attacked and destroyed by a Muslim invader and Raja Tondal Mal restored the temple at the same place in 1580 AD, Live Law reported.

"Neither Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was cruel, nor did he demolish any Lord Adi Vishweshwar Temple in Varanasi," the Masjid committee said.

READ | Gyanvapi Mosque Case: Supreme Court Defers 'Scientific Survey', Carbon Dating Of 'Shivling' Inside Complex

The committee also stated in its application that no Shivling was found last year inside the Gyanvapi Mosque premises and the object was is actually a fauvara (fountain).

In its application, the Muslim side also objected to the Hindu worshippers' plea calling Muslim rulers as "invaders", saying it was made with the aim of creating hatred among Hindus and Muslims.

"The structure or building which is present on the spot, Masjid Alamgiri/Gyanvapi Masjid, has been there for thousands of years. It was a mosque yesterday and is still a mosque, and the Muslims of Varanasi and neighbouring districts, as a matter of right, without any restrictions, have been offering Namaz Panjgana and Namaz Zuma and Namaz Idaan," the application stated.

On May 16, 2022, a court-ordered videographic survey of the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque was completed by a commission appointed by a local court. During the survey proceedings, a structure claimed to be a "shivling" by the Hindu side was found to be inside the mosque premises. 

The Supreme Court on May 19 told the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to not conduct carbon dating of the 'Shivling' till the next hearing on the matter.

On Tuesday, the Varanasi District Court ordered that all the seven cases related to Gyanvapi Mosque would be heard together.