The Supreme Court on Thursday, 21 July, refused to hear a petition by Hindu parties asking for carbon dating of the alleged 'Shivling' found on the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, directing them to withdraw their plea and follow through with their suit in the district court asking for rights to pray there.
The Hindu petitioners also agreed to withdraw another petition filed by them asking for permission to make offerings of water to the alleged 'Shivling'.
The masjid committee of the mosque has strongly contested this claim of a 'Shivling' being found during a survey by a commission appointed by the civil court which was originally hearing the suit, arguing that this is part of the wazukhana fountain in the mosque, used for ritual washing before offering prayers.
The apex court also deferred hearing the main case relating to the Gyanvapi mosque that is before them – the masjid committee's challenge to the orders of the civil judge appointing a survey commission and then sealing part of the mosque based on the claims about the alleged 'Shivling'.