Prayagraj. The Shivling-like figure found in the Vajukhana of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi can be examined archaeologically without damaging it. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has said this in the bench of Justice JJ Munir of Allahabad High Court. The court had asked the Archaeological Department about this on Monday. On this, the counsel for the department told that apart from carbon dating, the antiquity of a Shivling-like figure can also be investigated with new techniques. This will not cause any harm to the figure. The court has asked to clarify the position on this by 30 November. Along with this, an affidavit has been sought from the Charitable Affairs Department of UP.
In the Allahabad High Court, Lakshmi Devi and three other litigants demanded carbon dating of the Shivling-like figure found in the Gyanvapi mosque. The court of Varanasi had rejected this application of these litigants due to the stay of the Supreme Court. It was feared that carbon dating might damage the figure. At the same time, advocate Vishnushankar Jain said that due to lack of scientific survey, the antiquity of Gyanvapi campus would not be known. Now the next hearing in this regard will be held in the Allahabad High Court on 30 November.
The Anjuman Intejamia Committee of Gyanvapi Masjid will also file a Vakalatnama in this matter. Till now he has not filed the Vakalatnama. The Hindu litigants have filed an application demanding carbon dating of the Shivling-like shape located in the mosque, besides conducting a survey through ground penetration radar. Apart from this, an application has been given to get the excavation done under the warehouse.