The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal has sought permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to repair a damaged boundary wall and a deteriorating main gate, but the move has been opposed by Hindu petitioners who claim it's an attempt to destroy evidence of a temple beneath the structure.
The committee president, Zafar Ali, wrote to the Superintending Archaeologist of ASI's Meerut division, citing a February 11 incident where monkeys dislodged a section of the wall, warning that the remaining portion could collapse at any time, endangering worshippers and police personnel.
Hindu petitioners, however, claim that the main gate contains significant archaeological evidence that any repair work would permanently obliterate. They have vowed to block the permission and approach the relevant courts.
The mosque's legal status is pending before the Supreme Court, and any structural or maintenance decision would have to follow the apex court's directions.
The Shahi Jama Masjid, one of three mosques built during Mughal emperor Babur's reign, has been a centrally protected monument under ASI since 1920. The present legal dispute dates back to November 19, 2024, when a civil suit was filed claiming the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Harihar temple dedicated to Kalki.
With the apex court seized of the matter, any permission for repair remains contingent on judicial clearance, leaving both the crumbling wall and the broader dispute unresolved.
