Gyanvapi case: Advocate claims ASI survey found parts of 'preexisting temple'

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain revealed the details of the ASI survey report on Gyanvapi.

New Delhi: Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi Masjid case, on Thursday claimed that the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) survey report has found evidence of a large Hindu temple that existed before the mosque was constructed.

“The ASI has said that the pillars and plasters used in the existing structure were studied systematically and scientifically for the enlargement of the mosque and constructing Sahan. Parts of preexisting temples, including pillars and plasters, were reused with little modifications. A minute study of pillars and plasters in corridors suggests that they were originally part of a preexisting Hindu temple for their reuse in the existing structure, Vyala figures carved on either side of the lotus medallion were mutilated and after removing the stone mass from the corners, that space was decorated with floral design,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The lawyer said “there existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the present structure”.

He said the present western wall of the mosque is part of the pre-existing Hindu temple.

“The ASI has said that there existed a large Hindu Temple prior to the construction of the existing structure. This is the conclusive finding of the ASI,” he added.

The lawyer said the survey also found 32 inscriptions which also pointed to the existence of the temple.

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