Security measures have been beefed up outside the Gyanvapi mosque, a day after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report revealed there "existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure".
Both parties, that is the Hindu and Muslim side, was involved in the case during the survey and, as per ASI, "support and cooperation was received from all concerned"
Advocate Hari Shankar Jain asserted that ASI report clearly stated that a temple "existed" at the site of Gyanvapi mosque and urged the government to declare it a "national monument."
":Minute study of the pillars and pilasters in corridor suggest that they were originally part of the pre-existing Hindu temple,” ASI report on Gyanvapi
"Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya are very special for Hindus as they are associated with the lives of Bhagwan Shiva, Bhagwan Krishna and Bhagwan Ram. Muslims have no sentiments for the mosques built here," he reportedly said.
A district court in Varanasi has directed that the keys to the "Vyas ji ka tehkhana" basement in the Gyanvapi complex be handed over to the district magistrate.