“Pakistan peddling propaganda, will reap what it sows,” says India on Pak Foreign Ministry’s “assassinations” comment

The survey of the Gyanvapi mosque has revealed the existence of a temple, complete with 34 inscriptions in various languages, which was remodelled into a mosque, the lawyer of the Hindu petitioners told the media today after receiving a hard copy of the survey report. The Varanasi district judge had earlier refused to make the report public immediately or distribute soft copies to avoid any distortion and spread of misinformation on social media in view of the sensitivity of the case. 

Gyanvapi is one of the several temple-mosque disputes that mushroomed in the country after the Ayodhya Ram Janambhoomi issue. The ASI report – submitted a month ago in a sealed cover — was distributed days after the consecration of the Ayodhya temple at a mega programme led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Late this evening, Vishnu Jain, the lawyer for the petitioners, read excerpts from the report at a press conference. The Archaeological Survey of India, during its survey, found a “pre-existing structure and a well next to the corridor”. 

The “Central chamber and the main entrance have a pre-existing structure.” 

The ASI, in its survey, “Studied the pillars and plasters and said all were part of the temple,” said Mr Jain, while reading out the ASI report. 

“34 inscriptions of Hindu temple were found and the inscriptions are in Devnagri, Granth, Telugu and Kannada. Names of deities Janaradana, Rudra and Umeshwara are found in inscriptions.” 

Reading from the report, he said, ‘Terms such as Maha Mukti Mandap are mentioned in inscriptions… pillars from an earlier temple were reused while making cellars.” The petitioners’ lawyer has said that they will ask for an ASI survey of Wazukhana.

The ASI had been surveying since August 4 last year on the Gyanvapi mosque premises. It has only left out the Wazukhana area, which was sealed by the order of the Supreme Court. 

The report is crucial to the decision in the case, in which the Hindu side contends the mosque has been built over a temple and demands the right to worship. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron today held wide-ranging talks at a 19th century palace that showcases Jaipur’s royal heritage to further consolidate bilateral strategic engagement.

The talks took place hours after the French president was accorded a red-carpet welcome in the Pink City that was followed by a PM Modi-Macron roadshow from the astronomical observation site of Jantar Mantar to the iconic Hawa Mahal.

Macron also visited the grand Amber Fort situated on the Aravalli range on the outskirts of Jaipur. He will be the chief guest at Friday’s Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path in Delhi.

“Welcome to India, my friend President Emmanuel Macron. I am happy that President Macron begins his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan, a land with rich culture, heritage and talented people. It is a matter of great pride that he will be taking part in our Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, 26th January, in Delhi. His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration,” PM Modi tweeted.

Welcome to India, my friend President @EmmanuelMacron.

I am happy that President Macron begins his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan, a land with rich culture, heritage and talented people. It is a matter of great pride that he will be taking part in our Republic Day… pic.twitter.com/Q7JGuZpJJP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2024

PM Modi was the guest of honour at the prestigious Bastille Day Parade in Paris in July last.

Ahead of the talks between the two leaders at Taj Rambagh Palace, officials said the focus of the deliberations would be on shoring up cooperation in areas of defence and security, trade, climate change, nuclear energy and mobility of students and professionals.

The French President’s two-day visit to India is taking place as top negotiators from the two sides are eyeing to seal two mega defence deals providing for India’s procurement of 26 Rafale-M (marine version) fighter jets and three French designed Scorpene submarines.

The visit shows the “deep mutual trust” and “unwavering friendship” underpinning Indo-French ties, a French readout said on Wednesday.

“President Macron’s visit will consolidate the ambitious renewal of the France-India strategic partnership that the two leaders decided on in Paris on July 14 through the ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap’,” it said.

Horizon 2047 is a blueprint to significantly bolster the ties when the two sides will celebrate the centenary of diplomatic relations.