Today, On 1st April, The Supreme Court declined to hear a plea challenging the Allahabad High Court’s order on the whitewashing of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. The High Court had directed the ASI to carry out the whitewashing, with the costs to be borne by the mosque committee. The decision follows tensions that arose after a mosque survey led to riots last year. The whitewashing process has already begun as per the High Court’s mandate.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court declined to intervene in an order from the Allahabad High Court that directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out whitewashing on the exterior of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, with the mosque committee responsible for covering the costs.
Lawyer Barun Sinha, representing appellant Satish Kumar Aggarwal, criticized the high court’s decision, claiming it was inappropriate for the ASI to be tasked with whitewashing the mosque’s walls.
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The Allahabad High Court ordered the ASI to complete the whitewashing within one week, following which an ASI team conducted measurements and assessments on March 13.
Tensions in Sambhal have been high since riots erupted on November 24 of last year, triggered by a survey of the Mughal-era mosque, resulting in four fatalities and numerous injuries, including among police personnel.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar stated,
“We are not inclined to entertain the present petition. Dismissed.”
Also Read: Sambhal Mosque || “No Painting, Only Cleaning Allowed at Jama Masjid”: Allahabad HC
In his ruling, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the High Court remarked,
“The ASI shall undertake the whitewashing work and complete the same within a period of one week from today. Further, no extra lighting shall be put on the walls, as it may cause damage to the monuments, but exterior lights in the shape of focus lights/LED lights may be used by the ASI for lighting of the outer area of the alleged Masjid. The expenditure incurred in the whitewashing shall be borne by the Masjid Committee, and the same shall be reimbursed within one week after the completion of whitewashing work.”
The High Court had previously instructed the ASI’s counsel to provide specific details regarding any potential prejudice that might arise from the whitewashing of the mosque’s outer walls.
This order followed a court-mandated survey of the mosque, which had previously led to violence in Sambhal last year.
The Jama Masjid is a very old and important historical monument, and because of this, it is under the ASI’s care. The petition, which was filed by local people and conservationists, said that the mosque had not been properly maintained for many years. Due to this neglect, dirt and dust had gathered on the walls, making the mosque look dull and affecting its structure.