Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has put forward a demand after getting evidence that the Gyanvapi structure was built by demolishing a Hindu temple in the Kashi Vishwanath complex of Varanasi.
VHP says that in the report of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) there is evidence of existence of a temple there, hence now Gyanvapi Masjid should be handed over to the Hindu community.
VHP International Working President Alok Kumar said that the official and expert body ASI Department has submitted its report to the District Judge hearing the Gyanvapi case in Kashi.
Evidence collected by the ASI from the Gyanvapi structure confirms that the mosque was constructed after the demolition of a grand temple.
In his statement, Ashok Kumar said that a part of the temple structure, particularly the western wall, is the remaining part of a Hindu temple.
The report also proves that parts of the pre-existing temple, including the pillars, were reused with modifications to extend the span of the mosque and in the construction of the Sahan.
The Shivalinga present in what was called Waju Khana leaves no doubt that this structure has no character of a mosque.
He said that the inscriptions found in the structure containing the names of many other gods and goddesses including Janardhana, Rudra and Umeshwara are clear evidence of it being a temple.
Dr Kumar also said that the evidence collected and findings provided by the ASI prove that the religious character of this place of worship was in existence on August 15, 1947 and is a Hindu temple at present.
Thus, also as per Section 4 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the structure should be declared a Hindu temple.
The VHP leader, along with allowing Hindus to perform the Seva Puja of the Shivalinga found in the so-called Vazu police station area, also requested the arrangement committee to respectfully shift the Gyanvapi Masjid to some other suitable place and hand over the original site of Kashi Vishwanath to the Hindu community. Called to agree to.
He said that VHP believes that this noble act will be an important step towards building cordial relations between the two major communities of India.