Internet is divided over Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi mosque issue

Earlier this week, a Varanasi court famously granted permission to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out a survey of the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque complex. Needless to say, the issue has resulted in opinionated hot takes from several quarters. While some commentators are pleased, others are unhappy with the court order.

For those who are not aware, the Gyanvapi Mosque was built after Aurangzeb demolished the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the year 1696. To this day, the temple’s remains can be seen on the walls of the mosque.

One of the demands of the Hindutva votaries, who represent the sentiments of Hindus, is that the temple has to be reclaimed. This is akin to how the Ram Janambhoomi has been reclaimed in Ayodhya, whose dispute came to an end in 2019 with a Supreme Court verdict. 

Many say that the ASI survey will help resolve the centuries-long issue concerning Hinduism. “From Somnath to Kashi Vishwanath, Babarpur to Bakhtiarpur, from Allahabad to Aurangabad, for 70 years we were taught to forget historical injustices. Not anymore! We want to rewrite our history with the grammar of justice, not of anarchy,” wrote commentator and scientist Anand Ranganathan, welcoming the Varanasi court order. 

On the other hand, some voices, including political ones, are not happy with the order. Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM tweeted that the legality of the order is doubtful. “ASI is only likely to perpetrate a fraud and history will be repeated as was done in the case of Babri,” he added. Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan wrote, “This is totally against the Places of worship (special provisions Act) 1991 & mischievous. Must be immediately stayed by the High Court.” 

Others are of the opinion that the order is very much legal.