Earlier today, a Varanasi court issued an order to immediately seal the place where a Shivling was found in a recent survey at the Gyanvapi mosque site in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The court also prohibited the entry of any person.

The issue has become a matter of national debate now. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has objected to the court intervention, saying that it violates the Places of Worship Act of 1991.

"This is a textbook repeat of the December 1949 moment in Babri Masjid. This order itself changes the religious nature of the masjid. This was my apprehension and it has come true," Owaisi wrote, adding that the Gyanvapi Masjid was and will remain a masjid till the "judgment day".

There is now a demand to build a temple on the site. The District Magistrate, the police commissioner, and the CRPF are responsible for the security of the sealed area.

There are voices calling for public confidence to be built. "Video recording of the survey must be made public without delay. There is considerable public interest attached to this matter. There are all sorts of people (especially people bearing Hindu names) who will try to fudge facts," wrote Anuj Dhar.