Gyanvapi case: SC stays carbon dating of 'Shivling'
What's the story
Hearing the plea of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee of the Gyanvapi Mosque against the scientific survey of the alleged "Shivling" discovered in the mosque complex, the Supreme Court on Friday deferred the survey by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
It stayed the order of the Allahabad High Court, which allowed the object's carbon dating to determine its age until the next hearing.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The Gyanvapi Mosque row, dubbed "Babri Masjid 2.0," started in 1991 when some Hindu groups demanded the right to pray against the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
The Hindu groups claimed the structure was built upon a temple that was destroyed by Muslim invaders.
The age of the alleged Shivling will determine if it's a remnant of the purported temple.
Twitter Post
Matter requires closer scrutiny: CJI
CJI DY Chandrachud: Since the implications of the impugned order merit closer scrutiny, the implementation of the directions concerned in the order shall stand deferred till the next date.#SupremeCourt #SupremeCourtOfIndia #Gyanvapi
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 19, 2023
Hearing
SG Mehta was apprehensive about damage during survey
Appearing for the management committee, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi informed the bench of Chief Justice (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narsimha and KV Vishwanathan that the survey was scheduled to start on Monday.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government expressed concern about the possibility of damage to the object in question during the survey.
Details
ASI said no damage will be done: Hindu plaintiffs' counsel
The Hindu plaintiffs' counsel, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, contended that the ASI has stated the survey could be conducted without causing damage to the object. He further requested the bench to ask the ASI for a report.
In response, CJI Chandrachud said the court must tread carefully since it is a sensitive matter and the Centre and UP government should consult the ASI nevertheless.
Dispute
Orginal Shivling established in Kashi Vishwanath temple: Priest
The Gyanvapi Mosque is situated next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. The priest of the temple, Rajendra Prasad Tiwari, said that his forefathers took care of the erstwhile temple before it was destroyed by Aurangzeb in 1669.
He rejected the Hindu plaintiffs' argument that the object is the original Vishweshwar Shivling, saying that his forefathers established it at the Kashi Vishwanath temple.