A court-mandated videography survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, began on Monday amid tight security. A team of 12 people, including five women, entered the mosque complex at around 8 am and started the survey. The survey was being conducted by a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Around 40 people, including security personnel, were present inside the mosque complex during the survey. The survey was expected to be completed within two days.
The survey was ordered by a Varanasi court after a petition was filed by a group of Hindu women seeking permission to worship at a spot inside the mosque complex where they claim a Shivling was found during a court-mandated survey in May.
The Muslim side has opposed the survey, claiming that the Shivling is a fountain.
The survey is being conducted under tight security and prohibitory orders have been imposed in the area.
