HC Nod For Gyanvapi Mosque's ASI Survey: How Muslim Side And Political Parties React?

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the Gyanvapi committee challenging a district court order directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey to determine if the mosque was built upon a temple.

The Varanasi district court order was issued on July 21 and was challenged by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee. Chief Justice Pritinker Diwakar had reserved its order on the committee's petition on July 27 after hearing the counsels for both parties.

How the Muslim side Reacted To Verdict?

Responding to Allahabad High Court's order, AIMPLB member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali said that they will consider approaching the Supreme Court.

"We are hopeful that justice will be done as this mosque is around 600 years old and Muslims have been offering namaz there for the last 600 years. We also want that the Places of Worship Act should be enforced at all places of worship in the country. The Muslim side will think about approaching SC challenging this order," says AIMPLB member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali.

After Allahabad HC allows ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, former Jammu and Kashmir CM and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah says, "Be it a mandir or a mosque, god is one. You can either see him (god) in a mandir or a mosque..."

Samajwadi Party MP Dr ST Hasan on Allahabad HC said that they will abide by the orders of the court.

"Today our country needs communal harmony & national integration. No statement should be made which creates differences between people in the country," Hasan said.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya welcomed the verdict and said, "I am confident that the truth will come out after the ASI survey and the Gyanvapi issue will be resolved."

Senior advocate Harishankar Jain said that he is sure that the original 'shivling' has been hidden below the main dome. "There are numerous pieces of evidence present there that say that it was a Hindu temple. ASI survey will bring out the facts. I am sure that the original 'shivling' has been hidden below the main dome there. To hide this truth, they (Muslim side) are objecting repeatedly. They know that after this it won't remain a mosque and the way will be clear for the construction of a grand temple there," Jain said.

BJP MP from Mathura Hema Malini says, "The decision should come as soon as possible otherwise talks keep happening. It will be good for the country if the final decision comes soon."