Nirmala Sithraman releases book by Vikram Sampath (Image credit The Raisina Hills)
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, March 5: Historian Vikram Sampath said that it is the burden on the chroniclers of history to reveal the truth of the Gyanvapi issue. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who released the book — Waiting for Shiva Unearthing the Truth of Kashi’s Gyan Vapi, urged upon historians to document in ways that they can withstand the scrutiny of courts.
Speaking at the book launch at the Prime Minister Museum Auditorium in New Delhi on Monday evening, Sampath said: “It is the burden of historians to bring out the truth of Gyanvapi to the masses”. He made the remark while lamenting that the issue of Gyanvapi is not known to the people on the scale of Ayodhya.
Sampath said that the Hindus continuously struggled for reclaiming the Gyanvapi which has been the holiest of the religious places for Hindus as the people have worshiped the Shiva Jyotirlinga in Kashi for ages. He said that rich records exist to show that the Hindus never gave up their claims on Gyanvapi after the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Speaking on the occasion, Sitharaman said that three of the holiest of the religious places of Hindus are being reconstructed. She asserted that the Hindus rebuilt the city each time after Kashi was attacked. Sitharaman underlined that the Hindu religious places are worshipped as places of living gods.
Sithraman emphasized the long-standing tradition of documentation in Indian civilization during a recent speech. She highlighted the significance of historical records found during excavations, particularly idols of gods, which are now recognized by courts. Sitharaman stressed the importance of historians producing documentation that can withstand judicial scrutiny.
This call to action came after she unveiled the book “Waiting for Shiva: Unearthing the Truth of Gyan Vapi” by renowned historian Vikram Sampath. Sitharaman delved into the history of Kashi, noting its resilience through various attacks and reconstructions over the centuries. She also referenced literary accounts from Chinese and Persian travelers that document the rich history of Kashi.
Additionally, Sitharaman emphasized the sanctity of temples as abodes of living gods, citing examples like Nathdwara in Rajasthan. She expressed gratitude for the ongoing reconstruction and revitalization of holy Hindu sites like Ayodhya, Kashi, and Ujjain.
Sitharaman praised Dr. Vikram Sampath for his efforts in documenting India’s civilizational history through his work on Gyan Vapi. She underscored the importance of preserving and protecting India’s history, noting that documentation had been lost or scattered over the centuries. The book, published by BluOne Ink, was officially launched at the PM Museum in New Delhi on March 4, 2024.
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