ASI Report Makes A Mockery Of Scientific Study: Asaduddin Owaisi On Gyanvapi Mosque Case

Commenting on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report on the Gyanvapi mosque, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi today took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and said that the ASI report is based on opinion based on incomplete information and makes a mockery of scientific study. Owaisi also noted that the ASI report would not stand academic scrutiny before any set of professional archaeologists or historians. the AIMIM chief further took a swipe at the ASI saying: “As a great scholar once said ‘ASI is the handmaiden of Hindutva.”

“This wouldn’t stand academic scrutiny before any set of professional archaeologists or historians. The report is based on conjecture and makes a mockery of scientific study. As a great scholar once said “ASI is the handmaiden of Hindutva,” Owaisi”s post reads.

This wouldn’t stand academic scrutiny before any set of professional archaeologists or historians. The report is based on conjecture and makes a mockery of scientific study. As a great scholar once said “ASI is the handmaiden of Hindutva“ https://t.co/vE76X1uccM

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) January 25, 2024

The report has stated that a Hindu temple existed prior to the construction of the existing structure, Gyanvapi Mosque. “Based on scientific studies/survey carried out study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure,” the report said.

The reports claimed that the pre-existing structure appeared to be dismantled in the 17th century. It also said that a part of the structure was later modified and reused.

Citing an Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room of the Masjid suggesting the construction of the mosque in the 17th century, the report said the pre-structure was destroyed in the 17th century during the rule of the reign of Aurangzeb. The report also said that the western wall of the current complex represented the pre-existing temple structure.

The report also claimed to have found the sculptures depicting Hindu deities and carved architectural elements buried beneath the deposited soil in cellar S2. The report also said that 34 inscriptions found during the survey that the ASI undertook were the inscriptions on the stones of the pre-existing Hindu temples and these stones, the report added, were re-used during the construction and repair of the current structure.