Gyanvapi Masjid-Shringar Gauri temple case: Muslim group's protest hinders survey; Asaduddin Owaisi v BJP

Over two years after the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute was finally settled, another contest is heating up in Varanasi. The Gyanvapi Masjid-Shringar Gauri temple complex was the scene of drama on May 7.

A court commissioner's team visited the place of worship to conduct a videographic survey of the mosque. However, they could not conduct the survey despite spending two hours at the complex. This was due to a protest by Muslim men against the survey, according to news agency PTI.

Heavy security deployment was seen in the area. A day earlier, the court commissioner's team had conducted a survey of some areas outside the mosque. The survey was undertaken as part of a case being heard by a local court.

The court is hearing petitions by some Delhi-based women for permission to perform daily worship of Hindu deities located on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi Masjid. The mosque is located next to Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The issue led to a war of words between Opposition leader Asaduddin Owaisi and the BJP, which is in power in Uttar Pradesh and the Centre.