Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya is said to be Lord Ram's birth place.
Later the Mughals invaded Ayodhya and built the Babri masjid.
A huge controversy erupted with the Hindu and Muslim communities both claiming the land.
Babri masjid was demolished and the matter was argued in court for years.
In the end it was proved and the land was given to Lord Ram's followers.
A separate plot was assigned for re-building of Babri Masjid. You all are aware about this.
After this victory, people then thought of targeting the Taj Mahal which is one of the 7 Wonders of the World
stating that below Taj Mahal, there is a Shiv temple
which was captured by Shah Jahan who converted it into Taj Mahal for his wife.
Several PILs were filed to open the 22 doors of Taj Mahal which have been closed since long.
If it is proved that it is a Hindu temple, then they would reclaim it from the Muslims.
But if it was proved to be a Muslim monument, they would leave it.
However, the Allahabad high court completely outlashed the PIL, claiming them to be baseless.
However, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh there is Gyanvapi Masjid.
PIL has been filed against the mosque.
This is because Gyanvapi Masjid Complex is located right next to the very famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
You would be aware that every Shiva temple has a Nandi which is placed right in front of Shiva.
All Shiva Temples always have a Nandi in front.
However surprisingly there is one Nandi opposite Gyanvapi Masjid
without a Shivling in front of it.
This gave rise to suspiscion that the Shivling was removed to build the mosque.
As the Nandi is still there. This is why the PIL was filed in court.
The petitioner demanded an investigation of the mosque. If a Hindu presence is found, the mosque should be demolished.
The court ordered a search operation in the complex.
A few Hindu women then filed a PIL in the court.
When they visited the Nandi, opposite that there was the wall to the mosque.
On 16th May while searching the complex, a Shivling like strcuture was found in the pond.
This was right opposite the Nandi outside the mosque complex.
The Muslims said that it was a water fountain.
But the Hindus said it was a Shivling because of its curvature.
This led to a major debate.
Muslims said the water from the pond is used in the purification ritual before the namaaz.
The Hindus refused to accept this and claimed that it was the Shivling which is opposite the Nandi.
Since there was no answer the argument continued.
The court has sealed the area to the pond but the mosque is functional as usual without restrictions on devotees.
A detailed research will be done on the pond.
The Muslim community is not happy. They claim that the mosque is a part of their cultural heritage
and Hindus are using the Shivling as an excuse to escalate matters.
They have filed a petition in the Supreme Court, the mosque has been a part of their culture and it should be respected mutually.
The matter is now subjudice.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya tweeted,
"How much ever you hide the truth, it always comes out.
We have Ayodhya and now after years of penance Nandi found his Shiv. Investigation should done quickly."
Following which the AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said that
Muslims are not prepared to lose another mosque" after the Babri Masjid.
What do you think? Do you think the object found inside the pond is actually a Shivling, or is it just a fountain?
Let us know in the comments.