Sambhal Row | 'Masjid Committee Has Long Prevented Officials' Entry, Last Inspection Report States Monument Distorted': ASI Informs Local Court

Filing a written statement cum affidavit, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed a court in Sambhal that its team had faced significant obstructions in the past from the Jama Masjid Management Committee while attempting to inspect the Mosque - a protected national monument- which is now at the centre of a dispute over a court-mandated survey. The ASI has informed the Court that the monument/mosque's current status is unknown, as the Masjid Committee members have prevented ASI officials from entering the mosque 'since the long period'. The ASI, however, claimed that despite facing difficulties, its team conducted inspections of the monument whenever possible, making significant efforts with the assistance of the district administration. The Court was also informed that the local Masjid Committee had made several modifications to the mosque/monument, which were observed during the ASI's last inspection on June 25, 2024. “…the Masjid Management Committee involved in the monument has carried out various interventions, additions, modifications etc. at the monument. The inspection undertaken by ASI officers in the month of June, 2024 records some of the intervention done at monument. A copy of said inspection note may please be seen at Annexure I of the affidavit However, there are restrictions on ASI team for inspection, the current status and additions carried out are not known to ASI,” ASI's WS states. It adds that whenever the ASI noticed any modern intervention activity, appropriate complaints were filed with the local police, and Show Cause Notices were also issued to the defaulters. These averments have been in response to a suit filed by eight plaintiffs, including Mahant Rishiraj Giri, who claimed that the mosque in question was built in 1526 after demolishing a temple that stood there. According to the Hindu Plaintiffs, the Mosque in question was originally the site of an ancient temple (Hari Har Temple) dedicated to Kalki, the last avatar of Lord Vishnu. In 1526, on the orders of Mughal Ruler Babar, the temple was partly demolished and converted into a mosque. The WS cum affidavit, signed by Superintending Archaeologist in the Meerut circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Vinod Singh Rawat, also contains an inspection report (dated June 25, 2024), which states that the original structure of the centrally protected monument has been distorted at several places. “The use of bright colours is abundant in the main section's interior, and the overall appearance of the centrally protected monument has been significantly degraded,” the report states.In related news, yesterday, the Supreme Court asked the Sambhal Trial Court not to proceed in the suit against the Shahi Jama Masjid at Chandausi until the Masjid Committee's petition against the survey order is listed in the Allahabad High Court.The Top Court also directed that the report of the Advocate Commissioner, who conducted the mosque survey, be kept in a sealed cover and not opened in the meantime.

Sambhal Row | 'Masjid Committee Has Long Prevented Officials' Entry, Last Inspection Report States Monument Distorted': ASI Informs Local Court

Sparsh Upadhyay

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