Indian court allows survey of a 17th-century mosque to see if it was built over a Hindu temple
Aug 3, 2023
An Indian court says officials can conduct a scientific survey of a 17th-century mosque in northern India to determine if it was built over Hindu temple
LUCKNOW, India (AP) — An Indian court on Thursday ruled that officials can conduct a scientific survey to determine if a 17th-century mosque in the country's north was built over a Hindu temple.
The Gyanvapi mosque in the holy Hindu city of Varanasi, an area Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents in India's parliament, is one of several mosques in northern Uttar Pradesh state that some Hindus believe was built on top of demolished Hindu temples.
The dispute over land ownership had been one of India’s most heated issues between India’s 80% majority Hindu community and Muslim minority, which makes up nearly 14% of the country’s 1.4 billion people.
Vishnu Shankar Jain, an attorney representing the Hindu petitioners, said the High Court in the state on Thursday allowed the state-run Archaeological Survey of India to survey the structure without causing any damage to it.
"Scientific survey is necessary in the interest of justice,” Live Law, an online portal for Indian legal news, cited Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker as saying.
The Muslim petitioners objected to the survey saying it would damage the structure.
Khalid Rasheed, a Muslim petitioner, said the mosque committee has the option to appeal Thursday’s decision in India’s Supreme Court.
``We are hopeful that justice will be done as the mosque is 600 years old and Muslims have been praying there for long," Rasheed told reporters.
The Archeological Survey of India began the survey last month, but the project was halted by the Supreme Court to give time for an appeal. The High Court decision was announced on Thursday.
Earlier, five Hindu women sought permission from a court to perform Hindu rituals in one part of the mosque, saying a Hindu temple once stood on the site.
A controversy arose over a structure clamied by the Hindu petitioners as a “shivling,” a symbol of Hindu Lord Shiva. Muslims said it was part of a fountain in the "Wazukhana," a small water reservoir used by Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions before offering prayers.
The Muslim body, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi mosque, contends that the survey is contrary to provisions of a 1991 Indian law protecting places of worship.
The law states that the nature of all places of worship, except Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, shall be maintained as they were on August 15, 1947, and that it's illegal to convert such sites.
A 16th-century Babri Masjid mosque in northern Indian city of Ayodhya was destroyed by Hindu hard-liners in December 1992, sparking massive Hindu-Muslim violence that left some 2,000 people dead.
In 2019, India’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Hindu temple on the disputed religious ground and ordered that alternative land be given to Muslims to build a mosque.
Hindu nationalists have been demanding a temple on the site in the town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh state for more than a century. Hindus are building a temple there now.
MORE NEWS
Why has Google not released Gemini 4 Argon yet? New AI model's safety testing delays wider public access
Google has announced its new flagship AI model, but its access remains limited to selected cybersecurity defenders and internal teams only. The company is testing safety measures, gathering feedback and taking part in the US government’s voluntary pre-release process. Google has not given a fixed date for wider public access, although paid API customers and Google AI Ultra subscribers are expected to receive access next.
Pete Hegseth’s New Field Manual: What does Pete Hegseth's 144-page military manual reveal about his vision for U.S. forces?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided a 144-page field manual to service members at Quantico. This manual includes transcripts of his speeches and a message from President Donald Trump. Trump emphasized that troops will not be sent into unnecessary conflicts or 'dumb Wars.' Hegseth also announced plans to reduce the number of generals and admirals by 20 percent during his address.
Micron stock has surged 275% this year; MU earnings beat Wall Street estimates as AI demand fuels $60 billion-$63 billion revenue outlook
MU stock today: Micron reported better-than-expected earnings, resulting in a significant stock increase for the company this year. The company is projecting future revenue between $60 billion and $63 billion, exceeding analyst forecasts. Driven by strong demand for memory chips, Micron plans to invest $10 billion in research focused on memory and AI.
Japanese mindset: Zazen- The Japanese Zen practice of sitting still and learning to let the mind be
Japanese mindset: Zazen is a form of seated meditation that focuses on observing thoughts and feelings without judgment. Practitioners learn to let thoughts arise, pass, and return to their breath over time. The emphasis is on repetition and observing the mind rather than seeking instant transformations. This practice can change the way people experience their thoughts and emotions, fostering a different relationship with stillness.
SEC exposes $15 million alleged scam: How WhatsApp groups, AI trading promises and fake SEC claims lured investors
The SEC has charged multiple entities over two alleged investment scams totaling more than $15 million. The agency says WhatsApp groups, AI trading promises and fake SEC claims were used to attract hundreds of retail investors, with the schemes allegedly involving fraudulent trading platforms and investment programs.
Social Security payment schedule for 2027: When will your check arrive and why could some payments reach you earlier than expected?
The Social Security payment schedule for 2027 gives beneficiaries a useful head start on planning their finances. Most retirement, survivor and disability payments are tied to your birthday and arrive on one of three Wednesdays each month. SSI follows a different calendar, and some payments move into the previous month when weekends or holidays affect the normal date.
US midterm elections 2026: Latest predictions and odds from Polymarket
According to Polymarket, there's a remarkable 93% likelihood that Democrats will secure the House in the 2026 elections. The Senate presents a more competitive landscape with Democrats at 63% and Republicans at 38%. The surge in trading volume indicates high public interest in both markets as November 3 approaches. Key individual Senate races are particularly pivotal, potentially affecting the overall power dynamics.
Andy Burnham wants UK to consider EU re-entry
"We could stay as we are. That's definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay," Burnham said, listing certain options including one to "go all the way". It is not clear how Burnham will canvass opinion on the EU, but he said in his conference speech that he would "take the opportunity around the summit to lay out to you, to lay out to the country, what I believe the different options are".
Israel to ramp up pilot checks
Saudi authorities have arrested and interrogated the co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said. Some 169 of the total 172 passengers on board were Israeli nationals, Ambassador Daniel Meron at the Israeli permanent mission in Geneva told Reuters.
Claude, New Yorker, Bandcamp: RBI rules leave international card payments in grey area
New regulations from the Reserve Bank of India will mandate reporting of international credit card transactions starting October 1. Consumers may need to provide details on all payments for services purchased abroad, leading to potential compliance challenges. The existing framework lacks clarity on how individuals will report these transactions to banks. While international credit card purchases are part of the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, the reporting process remains unclear.