The videography survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi resumed on Saturday amid tight security arrangements, officials said and added that the survey work went on in a peaceful manner. They said that the survey will continue on Sunday.
“The survey work went on in a peaceful manner. And, there has been no objection from anyone. Everything is normal and conducive, and all parties co-operated,” Police Commissioner of Varanasi A Satish Ganesh said adding, “today’s survey is over, and it will continue tomorrow (Sunday) as well”.
The Gyanvapi mosque is next to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple. A group of women has petitioned the local court for permission to worship daily before the idols on the mosque’s exterior walls.
Sharma had previously stated that a crucial meeting with all parties involved took place on Friday, and that an appeal was made to them to participate in the commission’s work and the maintenance of law and order. About 1,500 police officers and PAC jawans have been deployed as part of the security arrangement.
Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar of the District Civil Court (Senior Division) denied the mosque committee’s request to replace Ajay Kumar Mishra in an order issued on Thursday. He nominated the latter as an advocate commissioner to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi-Gauri Shringar complex. The commissioner will be assisted by two more advocates, according to the judge, who expects the survey to be completed by Tuesday.
