"ASI Report Confirms Pre-Existing Hindu Temple at Gyanvapi Mosque Site"

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reportedly found that a 17th century mosque in Varanasi, India, was built after destroying a pre-existing Hindu temple, according to a lawyer representing Hindu petitioners. The ASI report, shared only with the petitioners, allegedly revealed remnants of Hindu statues in the mosque's basements and suggested that a large Hindu temple existed prior to the mosque's construction. The lawyer stated that the Hindu petitioners will approach the Supreme Court to demand that an area of the mosque be opened for Hindus, while advocates representing Muslim groups said they would respond after studying the survey report. This development comes after the recent inauguration of a grand temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, and amid ongoing tensions surrounding religious sites in India.